Nigeria to Honor PM Modi with Prestigious Grand Commander Award

Nigeria will award Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), a rare honor previously bestowed only on Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. Modi will be the second foreign dignitary to receive this prestigious distinction.

The announcement was made as PM Modi arrived in Abuja for the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also take him to Brazil and Guyana. Modi’s visit, at the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to strengthen strategic ties between India and Nigeria.

This marks the 17th international award PM Modi has received. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Nigeria’s Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, who presented him with the "Key to the City" of Abuja.

In a statement, Modi expressed his enthusiasm for deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria, highlighting their shared values of democracy and pluralism. His visit also marks the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years.

India and Nigeria have fostered strong ties since 2007, with significant collaboration in the fields of economy, energy, and defense. More than 200 Indian companies have invested over $27 billion in Nigeria, solidifying India’s role as a key development partner in the region.