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.[1][2]
Total population | |
---|---|
50,000[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
New Delhi · Mumbai · Chennai · Bangalore · Kolkata · Jaipur · Kanpur | |
Languages | |
Igbo · Nigerian English · Other languages of Nigeria · Indian languages | |
Religion | |
Roman Catholicism · Islam | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Nigerian people |
Demographics
It is estimated that there are more than 2,500 Nigerians living in Delhi, 3,000 in Bangalore, 9,000 in Goa,[3] 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.[4] Many Nigerians are also found in several unauthorized colonies like Munirka, Uttam Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar.[5]
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.[2][6] These perceptions have led to numerous hate crimes against Nigerian students.
Organizations
The All India Nigerian Students and Community Association (AINSCA), 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.[7] It also shields its members involved in illegal sex trafficking from repercussions.[8] 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.
See also
References
- "Why are Nigerians leaving India's Goa state?". BBC. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- "‘More than 500 Nigerians in Indian jails’", Vanguard, 11 January 2012.
- "Goans annoyed with Nigerians, their way of life". Panaji, India: Indian Express. May 31, 2016.
- "Fall from Race", India Today, 18 June 2011.
- "On Delhi’s vilified Nigerian migrants ", Sunday Guardian, 16 October 2011.
- "Goans annoyed with Nigerians, their way of life: CM Parsekar". Panaji, India: Indian Express. May 31, 2016.
- "Being African in India: 'We are seen as demons'". Aljazeera. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-50785861/imported-for-my-body-the-african-women-trafficked-to-india-for-sex