PM Modi to be honoured with Nigeria's 2nd highest national award, 'Grand Commander of The Order of the Niger'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Nigeria for a state visit, will be honouredwith the country's second-highest national award in Nigeria — the Grand Commander of The Order of the Niger (GCON).

Modi will be only the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour. Before this, British monarch Queen Elizabeth was graced with the award in 1969.

According to news agency ANI, this will be Prime Minister Modi's 17th international award.

Modi in Nigeria

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Nigeria on the first leg of his three-nation tour — Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana scheduled from November 17 to November 21.

This is the first visit by an Indian PM to Nigeria in 17 years.

Upon his arrival in the African country, the Indian PM was welcomed by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Minister for Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you, President Tinubu.

Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations. @officialABAT https://t.co/hlRiwj1XnV pic.twitter.com/iVW1Pr60Zi — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 16, 2024

Wike presented Modi with the 'Key to the City' of Abuja during the welcome ceremony. This key symbolises the trust and honour bestowed on Modi by the people of Nigeria.

Indian PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions in Nigeria, seeking to strengthen the relations between the two nations.

Previously, announcing his intentions to visit Nigeria first, Modi in a statement said,"At the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region. My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism. I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria, who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi."

India and Nigeria share warm, friendly bilateral relations. The two nations have been strategic partners since 2007, with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. Over 200 Indian companies have invested more than USD 27 billion in key sectors in Nigeria. India and Nigeria also enjoy a strong partnership in development cooperation.

(With inputs from agencies)