Nigeria is set to honor Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the distinguished Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award, making him only the second foreign dignitary in history to receive this prestigious accolade, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. This marks the 17th international award conferred upon PM Modi by a foreign nation.
The announcement was made as PM Modi arrived in Nigeria for the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also take him to Brazil and Guyana. His visit is aimed at further strengthening the strategic ties between India and Nigeria, a partnership that has seen significant growth in recent years.
Upon arrival in Abuja, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Nigeria’s Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, who presented him with the ‘Key to the City’ of Abuja.
Strengthening India-Nigeria Relations
In a statement, PM Modi emphasized the importance of his visit to Nigeria, which follows an invitation from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “This is my first visit to Nigeria, our close partner in the West African region. I look forward to strengthening our Strategic Partnership, which is founded on shared values of democracy and pluralism,” Modi stated. He also expressed his eagerness to meet with the Indian community in Nigeria and to connect with Nigerian friends who have extended warm greetings in Hindi.
India and Nigeria have enjoyed deep-rooted and cordial bilateral relations, with both countries committed to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. Over the years, the nations have seen growing economic, energy, and defense ties. India has become a key development partner for Nigeria, with over 200 Indian companies investing more than $27 billion across critical sectors, cementing India’s role as an essential contributor to Nigeria’s growth.
Historic Visit
PM Modi’s trip marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 2007, India and Nigeria have built a robust relationship based on mutual interests and shared goals. The visit is expected to bolster these ties further and open new avenues for collaboration, particularly in trade, energy, and defense.
Through his visit, PM Modi aims to elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights, reflecting the growing significance of India-Nigeria cooperation on the global stage.
