Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received a ceremonial welcome at Abuja’s Aso Rock Villa, the office and residence of the Nigerian Presidency, ahead of his one-on-one meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
PM Modi, who arrived in Abuja earlier today on a state visit—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years and his first to West Africa—will engage in delegation-level talks aimed at reviewing and expanding bilateral ties between the two countries.
At PM Modi’s invitation, President Tinubu had visited India last year for the G20 Summit as a guest nation. This visit also paved the way for Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil as an invitee.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, at least five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed during the bilateral discussions, covering areas such as culture, geological surveys, digital public infrastructure, customs cooperation, traditional medicine, and audio-visual collaboration.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, has shared a strong and cordial relationship with India since gaining independence in 1960. The partnership is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, and diversity.
“Both nations are multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-linguistic. In recent years, Nigeria’s active role in the African Union and its partnership with India in the India-Africa Forum Summit have strengthened this bond. Nigeria is also a BRICS partner country and currently chairs the ECOWAS region,” stated Dammu Ravi, Secretary for Economic Relations at the Ministry of External Affairs, ahead of the visit.
India has extended $400 million in development assistance to Nigeria, with $100 million utilized for projects, primarily in the power sector. The remaining $290 million is being repurposed for other initiatives. Additionally, India offers 500 ITEC scholarships annually to Nigeria, 250 each for civilian and defense personnel. Since the 1960s, India has trained approximately 27,500 Nigerian experts.
India’s involvement in Nigeria spans decades. “Indian teachers have educated generations in Nigeria. Defense cooperation is robust, with Indian military officers aiding the establishment of institutions like the National Defence Academy and the National War College,” Ravi noted.
Later today, PM Modi will interact with the Indian diaspora at a community event before heading to Brazil for the G20 Summit.
The Indian diaspora in Nigeria is about 60,000 strong, making it the largest in West Africa. People-to-people connections remain vibrant, alongside robust bilateral trade, estimated at nearly $15 billion, primarily driven by oil imports. Indian companies have invested $27 billion cumulatively in Nigeria, with 200 companies providing substantial employment, ranking as the second-largest job providers in the country.
As PM Modi arrived in Abuja on Saturday night, he was warmly welcomed by President Tinubu and members of the Indian community, who chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” during a brief interaction with the Prime Minister.
“Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations,” PM Modi posted on X.
He also thanked the Indian diaspora in Nigeria for their enthusiasm, adding, “Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome!”
(IANS)
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