Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has arrived in Nigeria for his first official visit, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations.
The visit focuses on deepening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and India, with discussions aimed at advancing cooperation in critical sectors.
Prime Minister Modi’s trip included a high-level meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Both leaders expressed a strong commitment to strengthening ties across key areas such as technology, defence, trade, energy, education, and healthcare.
The talks reinforce the shared vision of India and Nigeria as key players in their respective regions.
Speaking about the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said:
“Had a very productive discussion with President Tinubu. We talked about adding momentum to our strategic partnership. There is immense scope for ties to flourish even further in sectors like defence, energy, technology, trade, health, education and more.”
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi was honoured with Nigeria’s highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Accepting the award, he said:
“Honoured to be conferred with the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger’ Award by Nigeria. I accept it with great humility and dedicate it to the people of India.”
President Tinubu also praised the outcome of their discussions, stating:
“I had a productive bilateral session with Prime Minister Modi. We identified several promising areas for enhanced collaboration and cooperation, including culture, defense, mining, customs, and education, among others.
“As the two largest democracies in the world and in Africa, the strategic partnership between Nigeria and India has stood the test of time. Today’s visit will help advance this cooperation towards our shared prosperity.”
This visit, seen as a step towards cementing India’s growing influence in Africa, reflects the importance of Nigeria as a gateway to West Africa’s vast potential.
