No fewer than 27,500 Nigerian professionals have been trained by the government of India in the last 45 years under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).
Besides, India also provides more than 22,500 scholarships to people from different parts of the world every year.
The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, who disclosed this on night Monday, said on the average, 500 Nigerians get trained every year in India.
Balasubramanian disclosed this during the 2024 ITEC Day reception at the High Commission of India in Abuja.
ITEC is the institutionalised capacity-building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Balasubramanian said: “With Nigeria, we started this cooperation in 1979 after we had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian government and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as it is called today.
“We are very happy to have a large number of Nigerian friends amongst us. As I told you, from 1979 we started this program. On an average, we train about 500 Nigerian friends every year in India. You can calculate the number from 1979 onwards.
“So that is the number of people whom we have been able to be part of their journey in the development of their own career and their own contribution to Nigeria.”
He further explained ” This year alone, we have a specialised course for 28 law enforcement officers from Nigeria who have gone to India in the month of January to undergo training.
“Currently, there is a group of people from Nigeria on digital health. And we have planned courses on space. We have planned courses in various other areas,” he said.
The envoy called on Nigerians to take advantage of the programme to improve their professional skills and return to contribute to the development of their country.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, commended the Indian government for the opportunities given to Nigerians to improve their skills in India.
Ahmed said the programme has been of immense help to Nigeria, especially in critical sectors such as education, health care and infrastructure.
Represented by Ambassador Misitura Mohammed, Director of Asia and Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed said : “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of India for their commitment to capacity building in Nigeria.
“ITEC Programme has empowered Nigerians of various categories with skills and knowledge enabling them to contribute more effectively to our nation’s development.”
” “Nigerian partnership is a shining example of South-South collaboration and we appreciate India’s role in supporting our country’s growth,” he added.
