Cynthia Ezegwu
The High Commission of India in Abuja, in partnership with the Kaduna International Film Festival, hosted a special short film screening and panel discussion on Tuesday evening to celebrate and strengthen cultural and cinematic ties between India and Nigeria.
The event, held at the High Commission’s Chancery, drew members of the diplomatic community, Nollywood professionals, cultural enthusiasts, influencers, and friends of India.
According to a statement from the Indian High Commission on Wednesday, the gathering aimed to promote collaboration between the film industries of both countries and showcase the growing exchange of creative ideas through cinema.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Abhishek Singh, highlighted the strong cultural bonds shared between the two nations, noting that Bollywood produces around 2,000 films annually, while Nigeria’s Nollywood ranks as the second-largest film industry in the world by output.
Ambassador Singh also underscored the contribution of the Indian community in Nigeria, estimated at over 50,000 people, and announced a new cultural initiative, Bollywood and Yamarita, which will feature Bollywood screenings paired with the serving of traditional Nigerian delicacies.
Two short films were screened at the event: the Indian production Good Morning and the Nigerian film Not So Long a Letter. The screenings were followed by a panel discussion themed Celebration of Our Rich Cultural Heritage and the Need for Collaboration. Panellists included journalist Swat Duniah-Adalumo (moderator), filmmaker Dr. Ahmed Sarari, actor and filmmaker Francis Duru, and actress and filmmaker Stephnora Okere.
The discussion explored how cinema can foster mutual understanding, promote cross-cultural narratives, and encourage partnerships between the Indian and Nigerian film industries.
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Ambassador Singh also highlighted bilateral cultural cooperation, noting that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria in November 2024, India and Nigeria signed a Programme of Culture Cooperation and Exchanges for 2024–2029. He added that a memorandum of understanding on film co-production is under consideration by both countries.
He further praised Indo-Nigerian filmmakers, including Hamisha Daryani, whose feature film Namaste Wahala debuted on Netflix in 2022 and whose six-episode series Postcards premiered in Lagos in May 2024.
Singh also announced India’s upcoming International Film Festival in Goa from November 22–28, 2025, designed to provide filmmakers, enthusiasts, and industry professionals access to notable cinema from around the world.
India and Nigeria have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, with Bollywood films popular in Nigeria since the 1970s. Recent collaborations, including Namaste Wahala and initiatives by the Indian High Commission, have further strengthened cinematic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.