In a significant move to strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and India, President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This prestigious award is Nigeria’s second highest national honour, and marks a milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The award was announced during a bilateral meeting held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Tinubu warmly welcomed Mr Modi. The Indian leader arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening and was welcomed with the Indian anthem, followed by a guard of honor and a 21-gun salute.
President Tinubu emphasized that the honor “reflects our appreciation of India as a partner of Nigeria.”
The gesture underlines the strong strategic partnership between the two countries, which was established during the state visit of Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2007. Mr Modi’s visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister since the state visit of Dr Manmohan Singh in 2007.
President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will engage in bilateral discussions to further enhance cooperation in important areas. The two leaders will exchange signed MoUs to strengthen cooperation in key areas. The visit will include delegation level talks, which is an important step in Nigeria-India relations.
The honor is the 17th international award given to Prime Minister Modi, cementing his reputation as a key player in global diplomacy. The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) was previously awarded to Queen Elizabeth II in 1969, making Mr Modi the second foreign dignitary to receive this prestigious honour.
As Nigeria and India continue to promote their strategic partnership, the visit is expected to yield significant results in areas such as economic development, energy and defence. With over 200 Indian companies investing over US$27 billion in key sectors in Nigeria, bilateral relations are poised for further growth and collaboration.
