India Seeks More Nigerian Crude Amid Push for Stronger Trade Ties

India is seeking to boost its crude oil imports from Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. The request was made during a meeting between Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Modi expressed appreciation for the peaceful environment provided by Nigeria for its estimated 80,000 Indian nationals residing and working in the country. He also called for more crude oil purchases from Nigeria to boost bilateral trade between both nations.

The current trade volumes between Nigeria and India have declined significantly in recent years, falling from about $14 billion annually to approximately $9 billion. Shettima assured Modi that Nigeria would consider the request while emphasizing sectors critical to the country's economic development agenda, including pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, and the creative economy.