President Bola Tinubu has conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on the occasion, President Tinubu emphasized the significance of the award as a token of Nigeria’s appreciation for India’s enduring partnership.
“I will confer on you today, the Prime Minister of India, Nigeria’s National Honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. This is to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner,” the President stated.
Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two nations, Tinubu praised India for its support across various sectors, noting that the Indian government has consistently stood by Nigeria over the decades.
“You stood side by side with Nigeria on many fronts for many decades,” he added, acknowledging India’s pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, was welcomed at the Villa’s forecourt on Sunday at around 10:20 a.m. The reception featured a Guard of Honour, with the Indian and Nigerian anthems performed in succession.
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, after which Modi inspected the mounted parade before proceeding to closed-door discussions with President Tinubu.
The bilateral meeting is expected to result in the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in critical sectors.
According to a statement from the Presidency, both leaders are eager to deepen the strategic relationship between Nigeria and India.
“President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will aim to strengthen Nigeria’s and India’s ties during their bilateral discussions. Both leaders will exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to boost collaboration in critical sectors,” the Presidency stated.
Modi’s visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Dr. Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, which laid the foundation for a strategic partnership between the two countries.
