- Nigerian students in India are raising the alarm over systemic racial profiling, physical assaults, and discriminatory visa policies.
- The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to intervene following reports of “inhumane treatment.”
- Nigerians allege they are forced to pay 10,000 rupees (N146,000) every three months for visa renewals—a fee significantly higher than that for other African nationals.
A growing crisis is unfolding for the Nigerian community in India as residents and students report a surge in racial profiling and brutalisation by local authorities.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Nigerians living in cities like Mumbai and Delhi described a harrowing environment of mass arrests, forceful entry into residences, and the systematic denial of rental accommodation based solely on nationality.
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently took their grievances to the Indian High Commission in Abuja, staging a peaceful protest to demand an end to the “alarming” treatment of students abroad.
NANS Vice President Abubakar Mallawa noted that many Nigerians engaged in legitimate business and studies are being targeted under the guise of immigration checks.
The association has called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage in urgent diplomatic discussions, warning of escalated actions if the situation does not improve within seven days.
One of the most significant points of contention is the quarterly visa renewal fee.
While students from countries like Ghana reportedly pay as little as 500 rupees (N8,000), Nigerians claim they are charged 10,000 rupees (N146,000) every three months.
“They don’t believe we live by the rules. Anything that goes wrong is attributed to Nigerians,” a student in Delhi lamented.
This financial burden, often undisclosed during initial processing in Nigeria, has led many into “irregular” status, making them targets for police intimidation and deportation.
Data suggests that the Nigerian community, estimated at over 50,000 people, is being heavily scrutinized due to a rise in drug-related arrests.
In 2024, Indian agencies arrested 660 foreign nationals for drug crimes; 106 were Nigerians, the second-highest group after Nepalese nationals (203).
Furthermore, deportations of Nigerians have quadrupled recently, rising from 339 in 2021 to 1,470 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Despite these figures, former Nigerian envoys argue that a “minority of deviants” should not be used to profile an entire law-abiding population of students and professionals.
