Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Nigeria from May 28 to 30, 2023. The purpose of his visit is to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Eagle Square in Abuja on May 29. Additionally, Shri Rajnath Singh will meet the outgoing Nigerian President, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, during a reception hosted by him on May 28.
This visit holds significance as it will mark the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria. It aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Given the growing defence cooperation between India and Nigeria, senior officers from the Ministry of Defence and top leadership of important Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will accompany Shri Rajnath Singh. They will engage in meetings with representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to explore opportunities for collaboration and identify equipment and platforms through which the Indian defence industry can support Nigeria’s requirements.
Nigeria is home to an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community. During his visit, the Raksha Mantri will also address the Indian diaspora in Abuja, further reinforcing the ties between the two nations.