Isiyaku Ahmed
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 25th anniversary of his assumption of office as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat.
In a message issued on Wednesday, Tinubu described Modi’s 25 years of uninterrupted public service as a “truly historic milestone” and a rare achievement in a democracy.
Modi first assumed office as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 and served for more than 12 years before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014.
President Tinubu said Modi’s leadership had contributed significantly to the transformation of Gujarat and India, particularly in infrastructure development, digital public services, financial inclusion and innovation.
According to him, these initiatives have lifted millions of people and positioned India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies.
The Nigerian president also highlighted the strategic partnership between Nigeria and India, recalling Modi’s state visit to Abuja in November 2024, during which Nigeria conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
He said the visit strengthened bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education and technology.
Tinubu further described Nigeria and India as fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, noting that both countries share a commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and representative international order.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria-India relations would continue to grow stronger under Modi’s leadership.
President Tinubu wished the Indian Prime Minister good health, strength and continued success in his service to the people of India.
