Nigeria’s newly appointed High Commissioner to India, Saidu Muhammad, formally assumed office in New Delhi on Thursday, pledging to enhance the longstanding cordial bilateral relations between the two nations. During his tenure, the envoy aims to specifically bolster trade and investment to achieve a more favourable economic balance for Nigeria.
A Saturday press statement confirmed that the diplomat, who arrived in the country a few days prior alongside his spouse, Rukayya Muhammad, received a warm welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Ahead of his assumption of duty, he was met by representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, staff from the Nigerian High Commission, local diaspora members, and several African diplomatic heads of mission.
Addressing the Nigerian community and embassy staff upon taking office, Muhammad reflected on his nearly two-decade history with India. He recounted his numerous visits to the country for official engagements, regional meetings, the IPPIS verification exercise, and various professional promotion examinations between 2009 and 2015. Summarising his long-standing connection to the host nation, he declared: “And today, by the special grace of Almighty Allah, I have assumed duty here as substantive Nigerian High Commissioner to the Republic of India.”
The High Commissioner promised an administration defined by engagement, consultation, and inclusivity, assuring the staff that his working relationships would leave no one behind. Describing former President Muhammadu Buhari as a late mentor and father figure, Muhammad adopted his well-known maxim of belonging to everybody and to nobody, emphasising that his decisions would be guided by context and circumstance rather than personal considerations.
Furthermore, the envoy encouraged Nigerian expatriates to cultivate strong self-belief and a positive mindset. Citing a poem about the power of one’s mentality, he reminded the diaspora that a person’s outlook in life largely dictates the ultimate outcome of their efforts.
NoRepresenting the diaspora, Hilary Okeke, President of the All India Nigeria-India Students and Community Association, officially welcomed the new ambassador. Okeke noted that the community had eagerly awaited Muhammad’s deployment and was anticipating his backing. He also praised the existing High Commission officials for operating an open-door policy and consistently supporting Nigerians living and studying across India.