New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Abuja, marking his inaugural visit to Nigeria as part of a three-country tour that will also take him to Brazil and Guyana.
Upon his arrival, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally greeted PM Modi at the airport, underscoring the significance of this visit for strengthening India-Nigeria relations.
PM Modi took to social media platform X to express his appreciation, stating, “Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations.”
This visit is particularly notable as PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Nigeria in 17 years. President Tinubu commented, “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to Nigeria, which is also the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to our dear country since 2007.” He added that their discussions will focus on expanding the strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation in vital sectors.
In a warm reception, PM Modi was met at the airport by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Minister for Federal Capital Territory, who presented him with the Key to the City of Abuja—an emblem of trust and honor from the Nigerian people, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
President Tinubu expressed his enthusiasm for the discussions aimed at strengthening strategic collaborations, stating, “Welcome to Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi.”
PM Modi, filled with appreciation, shared images of his arrival and voiced his desire to enhance the bilateral relationship between India and Nigeria.
This three-nation tour, taking place from November 16 to 21, begins with Nigeria before proceeding to Brazil for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, and concluding with a landmark visit to Guyana—an Indian Prime Minister’s first visit in over 50 years.
Prior to the trip, PM Modi remarked, “At the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it will be my first visit to Nigeria, a close partner in the West African region. This visit is a chance to strengthen our Strategic Partnership rooted in a shared commitment to democracy and pluralism. I also look forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have warmly welcomed me in Hindi.”