**Summary:**
On August 12, 2025, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth met with the Minister of State, Defence of Nigeria, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in New Delhi to discuss enhanced bilateral defence cooperation. Key areas of discussion included collaboration in counterterrorism training, research and development, maritime cooperation (including hydrography and antipiracy measures), and industry cooperation. Shri Seth emphasized the capabilities of the Indian defence industry and offered support to meet Nigerian requirements, highlighting specific equipment like Light Combat Aircraft, Light Combat Helicopters, and Offshore Patrol Vessels. The Indian delegation extended an invitation to the Defence Research and Development Bureau of Nigeria to explore joint R&D opportunities. Dr. Matawalle invited the Indian delegation to visit the Nigerian defence industry to assess potential investment opportunities. The meeting took place during a visit by the Nigerian delegation to India from August 11-14, 2025, which included interactions with Indian defence industries. The ministers acknowledged the long-standing and friendly relations between India and Nigeria, with defence ties dating back to the early 1960s, emphasizing their roles as natural partners.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for defence.
Raksha Rajya Mantri: Minister of State for Defence in the Indian government.
Nigeria: A country in Africa with which India has bilateral defence cooperation.
New Delhi: The location of the bilateral meeting; capital of India.
Sanjay Seth: Raksha Rajya Mantri who held a bilateral meeting with the Nigerian Minister of State, Defence.
Bello Mohammed Matawalle: Minister of State, Defence of Nigeria.
Light Combat Aircraft: An example of defence equipment produced by the Indian defence industry.
Defence Research and Development Bureau, Nigeria: Nigerian defence organization that the Indian delegation expressed readiness to welcome for joint RD.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri holds bilateral meeting with
Nigerian Minister of State, Defence in New Delhi
Posted On: 12 AUG 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth held a bilateral meeting with Minister of State, Defence of Nigeria Dr
Bello Mohammed Matawalle in New Delhi on August 12, 2025. The two Ministers discussed the way forward
to further advance growing bilateral defence cooperation and military engagements across diverse domains.
They deliberated upon the opportunities of collaboration in counter-terrorism training, research &
development, maritime cooperation, including hydrography & anti-piracy, and industry cooperation.
Raksha Rajya Mantri highlighted the capability of the Indian defence industry to produce high-
quality defence equipment such as Light Combat Aircraft, Light Combat Helicopter and Offshore
Patrol Vessels. He assured full support to meet the requirements of the Nigerian side. The Indian
delegation expressed readiness to welcome the team from Defence Research and Development
Bureau, Nigeria to explore the area of joint R&D. The Nigerian Minister of State, Defence invited the
Indian delegation to visit the defence industry in Nigeria to explore the possibility of investment in
the sector.
Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle is leading a delegation on a visit to India from August 11-14, 2025.
The Nigerian delegation also interacted with Indian defence industries during the visit.India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly, age-old and deep-rooted relations. The defence relationship
traces back to the early 1960s. India as the largest democracy in the world and Nigeria as the
largest in Africa, have become natural partners.
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VK/SR/Savvy
(Release ID: 2155660)