NIGERIA-INDIA RELATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Realising that technology is the key element for economic growth in the 21 st century, India has had a strong focus on science and technology, hence, India today is among the leading countries in the world in the field of scientific research and technology. Nigeria on the other hand has emerged as the largest market in Africa with a large pool of manpower, natural resources,and investment opportunities. Both countries have maintained official relations that dates back to 1958 and shares a lot of historical commonalities and experience. It is against this background that this paper critically examines, Nigeria-India relations from the perspective of technological cooperation identifying the challenges and prospects. Relying copiously on diplomatic and bureaucratic correspondences, Newspaper publications, data from National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, and existing literature on Nigeria-India relations, this paper examines from a historical perspective, the dynamics of Nigeria India relations. It identifies the technology needs of Nigeria, investment opportunities for India, and possible areas of cooperation that can provide the basis for sustained Nigeria-India Relations while yielding mutual economic benefits for both countries. The paper concludes that technology cooperation is inevitable in the generation of wealth and social progress in developing countries and urges closer diplomatic ties and wider technological cooperation between Nigeria and India.