Abuja, Nigeria: In a historic moment at the State House, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conferred the prestigious national award, Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s exceptional statesmanship and his pivotal role in deepening India-Nigeria relations.
The award citation highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, which has elevated India to a global powerhouse, and his transformative governance, which has promoted unity, peace, and shared prosperity. Notably, Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to receive this honor since 1969, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.
While accepting the award, Prime Minister Modi dedicated it to the people of India and the enduring friendship between the two nations. “This recognition underscores the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and our shared commitment to the aspirations of the Global South,” he said.
India and Nigeria share a rich history of collaboration across diverse sectors, including trade, energy, technology, and education. The conferring of the GCON award symbolizes the growing partnership between the two countries, built on mutual respect and shared goals for global development.