In a historic diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nigeria on Sunday, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years. During his visit, PM Modi engaged in extensive talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships across various sectors, including trade, investment, and digital public infrastructure. The high-profile meeting aimed at enhancing the already solid ties between the two nations, particularly in light of shared challenges such as terrorism, separatism, and other regional threats.
Upon his arrival in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the presidential villa. Following the ceremonial greetings, Modi and Tinubu held one-on-one discussions, demonstrating a close partnership between the two leaders. In his opening remarks, PM Modi addressed President Tinubu using the Yoruba phrase “Ore mi,” meaning “my friend,” a gesture that was well-received by his host. Modi also conveyed condolences to those affected by recent floods in Nigeria, announcing that India would send 20 tonnes of relief materials to support those impacted.
PM Modi’s visit signifies the importance that India places on its strategic partnership with Nigeria. “I am happy that I have visited Nigeria at the beginning of my third term. I am happy that under India’s G20 chairmanship, Nigeria got the status of a guest country and the African Union became a permanent member of the grouping,” PM Modi remarked during his discussions with President Tinubu.
During the talks, PM Modi emphasized that Nigeria holds a crucial place in India’s strategic considerations. The collaboration between the two countries spans several sectors, including defence, energy, finance, health, education, and culture, with both sides eager to explore new opportunities to deepen their relationship further. The emphasis on digital public infrastructure was seen as a particularly promising area for future cooperation, highlighting the technological strides India has made and the opportunities for knowledge-sharing.
Another key focus of the discussions was security cooperation. Modi reiterated the commitment of both nations to tackle common challenges, including terrorism, piracy, separatism, and drug trafficking. Both countries, he noted, are working together to address these issues, with India expressing gratitude towards Nigeria for safeguarding the Indian community. “We prioritise our strategic partnership with Nigeria. Defence, energy, finance, health, education, and culture are some of the many sectors where India and Nigeria are cooperating, with new avenues opening as our relationship deepens,” PM Modi added.
The Indian Prime Minister also thanked President Tinubu for the Nigerian government’s efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora in Nigeria, which numbers around 60,000. The warmth shown by the Nigerian government was further evidenced by the special gesture of presenting PM Modi with the key to Abuja City during his arrival, a gesture that was described as an exceptional diplomatic honor.
In a press release, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted President Tinubu’s acknowledgment of India’s efforts to bring attention to the concerns of developing nations. “President Tinubu acknowledged India’s efforts to amplify the concerns of developing countries through the Voice of the Global South Summits. The two leaders agreed to work together to meet the development aspirations of the Global South,” the statement read, reaffirming the commitment of both leaders to uplift the interests of developing nations.
Dammu Ravi, a top official in the external affairs ministry, commented on the fruitful discussions, noting PM Modi’s heartfelt expressions of solidarity with the Nigerian people during challenging times such as the recent floods. He also emphasized how the honor presented by President Tinubu was dedicated to the enduring friendship between India and Nigeria and the people of both nations.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, PM Modi also held broader discussions on regional and global issues, underscoring the two nations’ shared vision for stability, growth, and sustainable development across the African continent and the wider Global South. The visit comes at a crucial time when developing nations are increasingly seeking greater representation and influence on the global stage, and the India-Nigeria partnership is seen as an important component of that vision.
PM Modi’s visit to Nigeria represents a significant step forward in India’s outreach to Africa, emphasizing the potential for deepening ties between two of the largest democracies in the world. The extensive talks covered a broad spectrum of topics that are expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation in trade, security, infrastructure, and digital transformation, heralding a new chapter in India-Nigeria relations.