The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has lauded the deepening defence ties between Nigeria and India, framing the collaboration as a strategic pivot in addressing the country’s persistent security challenges. In a statement signed by its President, Prince Maduka Ezeagu, the group described the renewed bilateral engagement as a forward-thinking initiative that underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to lasting security reforms.
The commendation follows the four-day working visit of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to India from August 11 to 14, 2025. NDMG hailed the visit as marking “a new era in Nigeria’s international defence cooperation,” particularly in areas such as counter-terrorism training, maritime cooperation, research and development, and defence industry investment.
Ezeagu praised the Tinubu administration for pursuing what he called “a robust, pragmatic foreign defence policy” centred on capacity-building, technology transfer, and local production. He highlighted Dr. Matawalle’s meeting with India’s Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Sanjay Seth, as a pivotal moment that opened new opportunities for Nigeria to leverage India’s proven military capabilities, including the production of Light Combat Aircraft, Light Combat Helicopters, and Offshore Patrol Vessels.
“This partnership is not mere diplomacy for optics; it is a practical step towards closing the gap in our national security architecture,” Ezeagu said. “With insecurity threatening both urban and rural stability, Nigeria needs international allies who are willing to share technology, offer advanced training, and invest in our defence industry. The India–Nigeria discussions tick all those boxes and reflect the Tinubu administration’s seriousness in delivering sustainable security solutions.”
Ezeagu emphasised that India’s defence industry, known for producing affordable, high-quality equipment suitable for diverse terrains, aligns well with Nigeria’s operational needs. He noted that the Federal Government’s focus on revamping local defence manufacturing could be accelerated through this partnership, potentially achieving self-reliance in defence technology within a decade.
The group also commended Dr. Matawalle’s invitation to Indian defence companies to invest in Nigeria, stating that such investments would boost military capacity, create jobs, enhance technical skills, and promote industrial growth. “What makes this development even more important is that it is happening at a time when Nigeria is repositioning its military strategy to respond to asymmetric threats such as terrorism, banditry, and piracy,” Ezeagu said. “By collaborating with a nation like India, which has decades of experience in counter-insurgency, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations, Nigeria stands to gain immensely.”
NDMG urged swift, transparent follow-up to the agreements, the creation of a joint monitoring framework with India, and the inclusion of Nigerian universities and research centres in the R&D component. The group’s endorsement reflects a broader recognition of the strategic importance of Nigeria-India defence cooperation in shaping the future of regional security and technological advancement.
