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Abhishek Singh, High Commissioner of India to Nigeria has reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening cultural collaboration with Nigeria through film, art, and people-to-people connections, highlighting the shared creative energy that binds both nations.
Speaking at a cultural event in Abuja, the High Commissioner noted that India’s globally renowned film industry, Bollywood, produces about 2,000 films annually across different genres and languages, making it the largest in the world.
He described Nigeria’s Nollywood as the second-largest by volume, underscoring the strong parallel between the two vibrant creative industries.
The envoy revealed plans by the Indian High Commission to launch a new cultural showcase titled “Bollywood and Yamarita”, an event that will blend Indian cinema with Nigerian cuisine.
“My team will organise screenings of Bollywood blockbusters alongside servings of Yamarita,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to celebrate the cultural ties and shared love for film and food between both countries.
Highlighting the growing synergy between Indian and Nigerian creatives, the High Commissioner cited the example of Lagos-based Indian film producer Hamisha Daryani, whose debut feature, “Namaste Wahala”, a cross-cultural love story, premiered on Netflix on Valentine’s Day in 2022.
According to a statement by the Commission, her six-episode series, “Postcards”, premiered in Lagos on May 1, 2024, further cementing the creative collaboration between the two nations.
He also recalled that during the State Visit of Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in November 2024, both countries signed a Programme of Culture Cooperation and Exchanges (PoCC) for 2024–2029, aimed at deepening cultural ties and promoting mutual understanding through arts, film, and heritage exchanges.
“An additional Memorandum of Understanding on Film Co-production is currently under review by both governments”, Singh noted.
Read also: India strengthens education ties with Nigeria, advocates global gender equality
The High Commissioner further announced India’s upcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI), slated for November 22–28, 2025, in Goa, which will serve as a global platform for filmmakers, movie enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
The festival’s International Cinema section, he said, will feature “an assortment of culturally and aesthetically remarkable films from around the world,” offering opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Expressing appreciation to guests and cultural enthusiasts in attendance, the High Commissioner thanked the Nigerian audience for their continued interest in Indian cinema and friendship with India.
