Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, making his first-ever visit to Nigeria as part of a three-nation tour. The trip marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in 17 years.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended a warm welcome to PM Modi, who was greeted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also presented Modi with the ceremonial “Key of the City” of Abuja.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed his gratitude via social media platform X, writing, “Thank you, President Tinubu. Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations.”
Thank you, President Tinubu.
Landed a short while ago in Nigeria. Grateful for the warm welcome. May this visit deepen the bilateral friendship between our nations. @officialABAT https://t.co/hlRiwj1XnV pic.twitter.com/iVW1Pr60Zi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 16, 2024The Indian community in Nigeria turned out in large numbers at the airport to greet Modi with vibrant celebrations. “Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome!” he tweeted.
Before departing for the visit, Modi had described Nigeria as a close partner in the West African region. “At the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it will be my first visit to Nigeria. My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on a shared belief in democracy and pluralism. I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi,” he stated.
Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome! pic.twitter.com/QYfAUOpqRO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 16, 2024The visit to Nigeria is part of Modi’s broader tour, which includes attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil and concluding with a historic state visit to Guyana. The tour, spanning November 16 to 21, is aimed at strengthening India’s ties with key global partners.
