Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nigeria on Sunday morning as part of a three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the West African nation in 17 years. His visit underscores India’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with Nigeria, a relationship spanning over six decades.
In a bilateral meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PM Modi highlighted India’s commitment to deepening ties. “We give high priority to our strategic partnership with Nigeria. I am confident that a new chapter in our ties will begin following our talks,” he said. The prime minister also announced that India had sent 20 tonnes of relief supplies for victims of last month’s devastating floods.
PM Modi praised the 60,000-strong Indian expatriate community in Nigeria, calling them a “key pillar” of the bilateral relationship. He also referenced the African Union’s recent inclusion as a permanent member of the G20, calling it a “significant outcome” of the September 2023 New Delhi summit.
India-Nigeria relations were formally elevated to a strategic partnership during the visit of then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2007. Today, over 200 Indian companies have invested $27 billion in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, making them the second-largest employers in the country after the federal government.Following his Nigeria visit, PM Modi will travel to Brazil and Guyana, continuing his efforts to bolster India’s global partnerships.