Abuja: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Abuja on Sunday, embarking on his first-ever visit to Nigeria as part of a three-nation tour that will also take him to Brazil and Guyana. His visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in 17 years. At Abuja airport, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomed PM Modi. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, presented the Prime Minister with the ‘key of the City’ of Abuja.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu via a post on X. “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,” PM Modi tweeted. The Indian community, gathered at Abuja airport, welcomed PM Modi. “Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome!” PM Modi further tweeted.
“Welcome to Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi,” President Tinubu wrote on X. Mo
PM to address Indian community
The prime minister will meet Nigerian President Tinubu in Abuja today and address the Indian community. India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007, with over USD 27 billion invested by Indian companies. Tinubu aims to strengthen ties and focus on expanding strategic partnerships and cooperation in key sectors.
Modi’s first West Africa visit to strengthen ties
This is Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to the West African region. In his departure statement, he expressed excitement to meet the Indians in Nigeria, noting their warm messages in Hindi. He sees the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership based on shared democratic values. After Nigeria, Modi will travel to Rio de Janeiro for a two-day trip to attend the G20 Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. India is part of the G20 Troika, actively contributing to discussions.
