NIGERIANS IN INDIA Brutality, Costly Visa, Protests
Nigerians in India Allege Brutality, Pay ₦146,000 Every 3 Months for visa
Nigerians living in India are raising alarm over what they call rising racial profiling, police brutality, and unfair visa costs.
Students say they are forced to pay 10,000 rupees (about ₦146,000) every three months to renew their visas—a fee they claim is much higher than what other African nationals pay.
“Ghanaians pay a maximum of 500 rupees (about ₦8,000). Zimbabweans don’t pay at all,” a Nigerian student in Delhi told Saturday PUNCH. She added that the fee was never disclosed before they left Nigeria.
NANS PROTEST
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently protested at the Indian High Commission in Abuja, demanding urgent diplomatic intervention.
NANS Vice President Abubakar Mallawa said Nigerian students face mass arrests, denial of housing, closure of shops, and forceful entry into homes. The group gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to act.
In an interview, NANS National Secretary Anzaku Shedrack said they have received “disturbing videos” showing Nigerians being brutalised in several Indian cities.
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE
Abisola Williams, Education Coordinator of the Association of African Students in India (Rajasthan chapter), confirmed Nigerians are going through tough times. The physiotherapy student said visas must be renewed yearly, with no path to permanent residency.
Another Nigerian student alleged that Indian police actively track those with expired visas, leading to arrests, intimidation, and deportation. “I have seen male students bullied and harassed,” she said. “Anything that goes wrong is attributed to Nigerians.”
DIPLOMATS VIEW
A Nigerian diplomat in India, who spoke anonymously, said some Nigerians act as police informants for money, worsening the community’s image. He urged the government to apply reciprocity—giving Indian citizens in Nigeria similar visa terms.
Between 2019 and 2024, India deported 2,356 Nigerians. In 2024 alone, 106 Nigerians were among foreign nationals arrested for drug crimes.
FORMER ENVOY CALLS FOR ACTION
Retired Ambassador Sola Abolurin urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Nigeria’s ambassador to India for an explanation and to demand better protection for Nigerians.
Another ex-envoy, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, said Nigerians abroad must obey local laws, but stressed that the majority are law-abiding and should not be profiled because of the actions of a few Individuals.
