President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.
Tinubu described the honour as a gesture to “signify our appreciation of India as Nigeria’s partner,” underscoring the importance of the relationship between the two nations.
Modi arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning at approximately 10:20 a.m., he was formally received at the Villa’s forecourt.
The ceremonial welcome began with the Indian national anthem, followed by the Nigerian anthem performed by a Brigade of Guards.
A Guard of Honour, complete with a 21-gun salute, was mounted for the visiting leader, who inspected the parade with precision and grace.
Following the ceremonial activities, the two leaders commenced a private meeting to discuss and solidify bilateral ties.
According to a statement from the Presidency, “President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will aim to deepen Nigeria’s and India’s ties during their bilateral discussions.”
During the meeting, both leaders are expected to exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as trade, technology, and energy.
The discussions are anticipated to pave the way for new opportunities that will benefit both nations economically and strategically.
This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly two decades, with the last being Dr. Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, which established the Nigeria-India strategic partnership. Modi’s trip signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening this relationship, with both nations looking forward to a productive and mutually beneficial alliance.
The visit of Prime Minister Modi reflects the growing importance of India-Nigeria relations, with both leaders keen on advancing their shared goals and exploring new avenues for cooperation.
