Indian Prime Minister seeks strategic partnership with Nigeria upon visit

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has revealed that he hopes to build a strategic partnership and strengthen democratic values with Nigeria.

Modi arrived Nigeria earlier on Saturday and will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Sunday

A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president, information and strategy, said Modi is expected to arrive on Saturday.

Both leaders met in New Delhi on the first day of the G20 summit that India hosted in September.

Onanuga said Modi’s visit to Nigeria will be the first by an Indian prime minister since Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, when the two nations established a strategic partnership.

Onanuga said Modi’s visit to Nigeria will be the first by an Indian prime minister since Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007, when the two nations established a strategic partnership.

He said Tinubu and Modi will seek to strengthen Nigeria’s and India’s ties further during their bilateral discussions.

Onanuga added that the leaders will also exchange signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in critical sectors.

In a separate statement, Modi said his visit is at Tinubu’s invitation.

“My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our Strategic Partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism,” the prime minister 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.”

Last year, India was amongst Nigeria’s top five trading partners despite a decrease in trade volume.

India blamed the gap on a decline in Nigeria’s oil exports.

Modi is expected to visit Brazil and Guyana after his trip to Nigeria.