By Fatima Saka
Nigeria is seeking to draw from India’s experience in technology and youth engagement to unlock opportunities for its growing young population as Vice President Kashim Shettima leads the country’s delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The move is expected to feature prominently in Nigeria’s engagement with India and other emerging economies, with the country also pursuing partnerships in trade, investment, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and industrial development.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said India’s ability to harness technology and engage its youthful population offered important lessons for Nigeria.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was particularly interested in India’s experience in agriculture, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and expanding women’s participation in the technology sector.
She said the Federal Government was determined to leverage India’s expertise and its “greatest strength” in engaging young people to promote innovation, economic growth and inclusive development.
She spoke as Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the summit, where Nigeria is expected to deepen its economic and strategic partnership with India and other emerging economies.
The Vice President is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Nigeria became a BRICS partner country in January 2025 and has since used the platform to strengthen South-South cooperation and expand economic and diplomatic relations with major emerging economies.
At the New Delhi summit, Nigeria is expected to explore opportunities for technology transfer, investment and collaboration capable of strengthening domestic productive capacity while creating new pathways for young Nigerians to participate in the digital economy.
The government also sees deeper engagement with India as an avenue to support its broader economic transformation agenda, particularly in sectors where technology and innovation can improve productivity and create jobs.
The 18th BRICS Summit therefore provides Nigeria with an opportunity to move beyond diplomatic engagement and pursue practical partnerships that can translate India’s technological and youth-development experience into opportunities for Nigerians.
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