Nigerians in India


Nigerians in India form one of the largest African communities in the country. As of November 2013, there are about 50,000 Nigerians living and working in India. They live in cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kanpur, Hyderabad and Jaipur.

Demographics

It is estimated that there are more than 2,500 Nigerians living in Delhi 3,000 in Bangalore, 9,000 in Goa and with another 4,000 spread across the rest of the country. Neither the Indian police nor the Nigerian High Commission has details of the number of Nigerians currently residing in India. Many Nigerians are also found in several unauthorized colonies like Munirka, Uttam Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar.

Inter-ethnic relations

Nigerians are subject to discrimination in Indian society. Many Indians associate Nigerians with crime; around 500 Nigerians are held in various jails across India. These perceptions have led to numerous hate crimes against Nigerian students.

Organizations

The All India Nigerian Students and Community Association, a non-official arm of the Nigerian embassy helps members of the community living in India. It liaisons proactively with Delhi police to nab unscrupulous elements in the community. It also shields its members involved in illegal sex trafficking from repercussions. Eddie, the chairman of AINSCA was filmed by BBC Africa Eye as one of the traffickers. AINSCA promotes what it should be fighting-sex trafficking.