No fewer than 4,000 Nigerians voluntarily departed India following amnesty granted to illegal residents by the Narendra Mordi-led government.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Saidu Muhammad, who revealed this during an interactive session with reporters at the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, also said 198 Nigerians are behind bars in the country.
Muhammadu, who hailed the Indian authorities for the non-sanction policy, said those who left did so before he assumed duty in New Delhi on July 23 this year.
The High Commissioner revealed that Nigeria requested a three- to six-month extension of the amnesty to enable other Nigerians keen on regularising their stay to do so.
He explained that those who exited, those who are yet to have a visa, and other issues like overstaying and inability to foot their medical bills.
The envoy said: ‘Before my arrival, they (Indian government) had given six months’ amnesty for all Nigerians who are here(India) illegally to leave or to regularise their stay without any penalty.
‘The amnesty was extended by another three months. So, a period of nine months. And now we are further requesting at least another three to six months additional waiver.
”During that period, over 4,000 Nigerians exited and those still there illegally are decided whenever they want to come back if they fail to regularise their stay. But those that exited but want to come back can do so amicably and in a better way.’
Muhammad urged all Nigerians resident in India to obey Indian laws, uphold Nigeria’s image and pursue legitimate activities.
He highlighted progress made by Nigeria within his first month in office to include engagement with the Nigerian diaspora, discussions with Indian authorities on immigration issues, and deepening economic relations between both countries.
Muhammad added that during his recent visits to correctional facilities in India, he interacted with 198 Nigerians in detention who alleged maltreatment, racial discrimination, limited access to legal representation, delays in court proceedings and inadequate medical attention.
He said: ‘We realised that prison officials were generally cooperative, but many detainees are awaiting trial and the judicial process takes time.
‘Universal principles require that all human beings be treated fairly. Their fundamental rights must not be abused, distorted or violated in any way, and their welfare must be taken care of.’
He explained that the visits were a part of efforts to strengthen what he described as Nigeria’s citizen-centred diplomacy.
The envoy added that the mission has already submitted a detailed report to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining the concerns raised by the detainees and how to resolve them.
Muhammad said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that its citizens abroad remain connected to their country, even when facing legal challenges.
‘Nigeria remembers them. That is why we are going there. We have told them that this mission is open to them. They can come here with their concerns and activities.
”We used those opportunities to advise them, caution them where necessary and address legitimate complaints,’ he said.
Mohammad also said the mission lacks the resources to establish consular offices in some parts of India but remains committed to reaching Nigerians wherever they reside.
‘We should have the capacity to go out and reach our people, so they know that we are here for them,’ he said.