Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was officially welcomed to Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu during a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday morning.
The event, held at the State House Forecourt around 10:20 a.m., featured a full display of diplomatic honors and military precision.
Modi, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, was greeted with the Indian national anthem, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour presented by the Brigade of Guards.
The ceremony reached its climax with a 21-gun salute in tribute to the visiting leader, marking the high significance of his visit.
The visit is set to include a series of high-level engagements aimed at bolstering the partnership between Nigeria and India.
These include a closed-door meeting between the two leaders, comprehensive delegation-level discussions, and the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the discussions and agreements will focus on strengthening ties between the two nations in several critical areas.
“President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will seek to further enhance the relationship between Nigeria and India during their discussions,” Onanuga stated, emphasizing that the MoUs would serve as a foundation for greater collaboration in sectors such as trade, technology, energy, and infrastructure development.
This landmark visit by Prime Minister Modi is the first by an Indian head of government to Nigeria in nearly two decades.
The last visit was in 2007, when Dr. Manmohan Singh laid the groundwork for a strategic partnership between the two countries.
India and Nigeria share longstanding ties rooted in trade, cultural exchange, and mutual support on global platforms.
This visit is expected to solidify those relations further, offering opportunities to explore new areas of cooperation and reinforce the historical bond between the two nations.
