By Chesa Chesa
The Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, on Monday presented his Letters of Credence to the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at her official residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Murmu received the credentials of Ambassador Muhammad and five other ambassadors, including Mrs. Sitona Abdalla Osman, Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan; Mr. Abdulla Saif Ali Slayem Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates; and Mrs. Inga Ionesii, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova.
She also received the credentials of Dr. Jasper Wieck, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Ms. Petra Menander, Ambassador of Sweden, according to a post on the official X account of the President of India, @rashtrapatibhvn.
In his remarks at the formal presentation of his credentials, Ambassador Muhammad conveyed the goodwill and best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to President Murmu.
He pledged to build on the longstanding bilateral relations between Nigeria and India, with particular emphasis on strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The High Commissioner reaffirmed that Nigeria attaches considerable importance to its relationship with India and described his appointment as both a privilege and a responsibility to further advance Nigeria’s interests. He noted that Nigeria-India relations extend beyond political and diplomatic engagement to encompass substantial economic, commercial, cultural, educational and people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Muhammad further expressed his determination to encourage greater Indian investment in Nigeria, facilitate stronger business-to-business engagement and promote opportunities for Nigerian enterprises to access the Indian market.
In her remarks, President Murmu warmly welcomed the High Commissioner to India and congratulated him on his appointment as High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She emphasised the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and India, noting that the ties between the two countries are founded on strong historical bonds, mutual respect and shared interests.
Highlighting the importance of the economic and commercial relationship between Nigeria and India, President Murmu noted India’s significant position as a major business and trading partner of Nigeria and stressed the considerable potential for further expansion of trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
President Murmu expressed appreciation for the contributions of Indian businesses and investors to Nigeria’s economic development and underscored the need to continue encouraging stronger private-sector engagement between the two countries.
She expressed confidence that the tenure of High Commissioner Muhammad would contribute positively to the consolidation and further development of Nigeria-India relations and wished him success in the discharge of his responsibilities.
