India

Nigeria to honour PM Modi with Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger

November 17, 2024

Nigeria will award Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Grand Commander of The Order of the Niger (GCON), making him the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour, following Queen Elizabeth in 1969. This marks the 17th international award conferred on PM Modi by a foreign nation.

The Prime Minister on Sunday arrived in Nigeria on the first leg of his three-nation visit at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This visit is the first by an Indian PM to Nigeria in 17 years.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Abuja, Nigeria. Warmly welcomed by Minister for Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who presented the prime minister with the ‘Key to the City’ of Abuja. The key symbolises the trust and honour bestowed on the prime minister by the people of Nigeria,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

This is Modi’s first-ever visit to the West African Region. He is on a five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. From Nigeria, he will travel to Brazil.

In his departure statement, Modi said, “I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi.”