India-Nigeria Cultural Diplomacy

Nigeria and India enjoy a relationship which is in-depth, characterized by inner-warmth and liberality. The colonial experience of Nigeria and India makes both of countries historical friends and thus, comfortable allies. India at the advent of independence having gone through the travails of colonialism stood in solidarity with Nigeria during Nigeria's struggle for independence and championed the course for decolonization of Nigeria, this is evidently seen by the fact that India established its diplomatic mission in Nigeria in 1958, two years before Nigeria gained independence from the Britons. It is in this light of prosperous relationship that gave birth to cultural and educational exchanges between both countries. This is manifested through fruitful cultural and educational exchanges between Nigeria and India. However, the paper argues that Nigeria had not been effective in keeping a balance in its cultural and educational exchange with India as the concept connotes a reciprocation of both cultural and educational resources in which Nigeria falls short of. The paper makes attempt in historizing the relationship between India and Nigeria.