Blitz Bureau
NIGERIA has conferred its prestigious national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising his leadership in fostering partnerships with the Global South and strengthening India-Nigeria relations.
The award was presented by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a ceremony at the State House. The citation accompanying the honour acknowledged PM Modi’s visionary leadership, which has positioned India as a global powerhouse while fostering unity, peace, and shared prosperity.
Accepting the award, PM Modi dedicated it to the people of India and the enduring friendship between India and Nigeria. He emphasised that the recognition underscores the strategic partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to the aspirations of the Global South.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the honour as a testament to PM Modi’s statesmanship and the deep ties between the two nations. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “A recognition of PM Modi’s leadership and commitment in furthering partnerships with the Global South. Also underlines the special ties of friendship between India and Nigeria.”
Remarkably, PM Modi is the first foreign leader to receive this award since its inception in 1969. The Prime Minister’s five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana, which began on November 16, aims to strengthen India’s ties with key global partners. Nigeria, India’s close ally in West Africa, holds a pivotal position in the region’s geopolitics and economic landscape.
