Education Coordinator of the Association of African Students in India, Rajasthan Chapter, Abisola Williams, tells BIODUN BUSARI about Nigerians’ ordeal in the Asian country
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Abisola Williams. I’m a physiotherapy student at Mewar University, Rajasthan, in India, and I currently serve as the Education Coordinator of the Association of African Students in India (Rajasthan Chapter). I’m a social entrepreneur.
Why did you choose to relocate to India?
I’d usually say I didn’t choose India; India chose me. It’s a long story, but the core of it is that I was offered a scholarship to study in India.
How long have you been in India and what are your experiences there?
I’ve been in India for four years. I moved to India in March 2022. My experiences have been mixed, just similar to what anyone would face if they move to a new location. It’s completely different from what I know or am used to in Nigeria. It’s a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Indian media frequently report drug trafficking associated with Nigerians; why is this so?
Well, India is a country that has extremely strict laws against drugs and any form of narcotics. While some of the media reports are undergoing investigation, I believe certain arrests were made and shaped based on stereotypes.
For years, there have been different cases of Africans, not just Nigerians, involved in drug trafficking in one way or another. While some are true, others are some sort of stereotype, in my opinion.
Do you think the Indian authorities are hostile to Nigerians?
Well, I cannot speak for everyone; some have had harsh experiences. Certain policies do not favour Nigerians, which can also be linked to faulty diplomacy. However, as a student, minding your business and staying around your place of study will get you into little or no trouble.
The reason I said this is that most Nigerians you see in India are students. The issue of regularisation, which has to do with visa renewal, is applicable mostly to Nigerian students.
How should Nigerians in India redeem their image?
It’s an individual approach; everyone must decide to be a better ambassador of the country. I have been privileged to speak at events, organise programmes on diplomacy in India, and I have got support from both national and international entities.
I made a decision that I won’t be a reason why Indians will have a faulty view of any Nigerian or African they meet, and I’ve been living up to that. It’s a large and diverse country, but change starts with individuals.
Is there something peculiar attracting Nigerian students to India?
Yes, scholarship opportunities to study, easier access to other Asian and European countries, and a better education system.
How do illegal immigrants cope in India?
I may not be able to speak for them because I advocate that people leave the country as soon as their visa expires. The constant state of living in fear, not being able to walk freely, access hotels, alongside other anxieties, is not worth it in my opinion, and when caught, the treatment is extremely harsh.
