Nigeria-India Relations: President Tinubu Congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 Years of Unbroken Leadership
ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on reaching a historic political milestone, marking 25 years of continuous service as a head of government.
In an official State House statement released on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, President Tinubu praised the Indian leader’s enduring mandate on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, calling a quarter-century of unbroken leadership a “rare achievement in any democracy.”
A Legacy of Uninterrupted Public Service
The milestone marks exactly 25 years since Prime Minister Modi first assumed office on October 7, 2001, as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. After serving the people of Gujarat for over twelve years, Modi transitioned to national leadership and has remained the Prime Minister of the Republic of India since 2014.
President Tinubu noted that managing such extended governance in the world’s most populous nation stands as a powerful testament to the deep and enduring confidence the Indian electorate has placed in him.
“Across these 25 years, Prime Minister Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development,” Tinubu said. “From the transformation of Gujarat to India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, his leadership in infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion, and innovation has lifted millions and inspired nations across the Global South.”
Strengthening the Nigeria-India Strategic Partnership
The message highlighted the robust bilateral ties between Nigeria and India. President Tinubu fondly recalled Prime Minister Modi’s historic State Visit to Abuja in November 2024, during which Nigeria bestowed upon him the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
According to Tinubu, that pivotal visit injected fresh momentum into the strategic cooperation between both countries across vital sectors, including trade and investment, as well as in energy, defense, and security.
The Nigerian leader also noted that the partnership extends to health, education, and technology.
Leading Voices of the Global South
As fellow democracies, President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria and India share a united vision for a fairer, more inclusive, and more representative international order.
He expressed absolute confidence that the bonds of friendship between both nations would continue to strengthen under Modi’s ongoing stewardship, with a wish for Prime Minister Modi’s excellent health and continued success in his ongoing service to the people of India
