President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bestowed the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Tinubu described the gesture as a mark of appreciation for India’s partnership with Nigeria.
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, was officially welcomed at the Villa on Sunday morning with a full Guard of Honour, a 21-gun salute, and renditions of the Indian and Nigerian anthems.
Following the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders held closed-door discussions to explore ways of strengthening bilateral relations.
They are also expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to foster collaboration in key sectors.
This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 2007 when Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Nigeria, establishing a strategic partnership between the two nations.