Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has conferred the country’s second-highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu described the honor as a gesture of appreciation for India’s partnership with Nigeria.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening and was formally welcomed at the Villa on Sunday morning at approximately 10:20 a.m. The ceremony included the playing of the Indian national anthem, followed by a Guard of Honour mounted by Nigeria’s Brigade of Guards. Modi inspected the parade and received a 21-gun salute before proceeding to closed-door talks with President Tinubu.

The leaders are expected to discuss and sign several agreements to enhance cooperation in key sectors. According to a statement from the Presidency, the discussions aim to deepen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and India, with a focus on strengthening ties and fostering collaboration through signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Dr. Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, which laid the foundation for the strategic partnership between the two nations.