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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office, describing the milestone as a rare achievement in a democracy and a testament to the confidence of the Indian people in his leadership.
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Tinubu recalled Modi’s political journey from becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 to serving as Prime Minister of India since 2014, praising his focus on infrastructure, digital public services, financial inclusion, innovation and economic development.
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The Nigerian President also highlighted Modi’s November 2024 State Visit to Abuja, during which Nigeria conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
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Tinubu said Nigeria and India, as major democracies and leading voices of the Global South, share a commitment to a fairer and more representative international order, expressing confidence that relations between both countries would deepen under Modi’s continued leadership.
October 7, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on the completion of 25 years in public office, describing the milestone as a rare achievement in a democratic system and a reflection of the enduring confidence of the Indian people in his leadership.
In a message issued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Tinubu said Modi’s quarter-century in public service was a historic milestone, noting that he first assumed office in 2001 as Chief Minister of Gujarat before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014.
According to the President, Modi’s public service has continued uninterrupted for 25 years, spanning more than 12 years in charge of Gujarat and more than 12 years as Prime Minister of the Republic of India.
“Today, 7 October 2026, marks 25 years since he first assumed office in 2001 as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat. A quarter-century of unbroken leadership is a rare achievement in any democracy. In the world’s most populous nation, it is a powerful testament to the enduring confidence the Indian people have placed in him”, Tinubu noted.
The Nigerian leader praised Modi’s leadership and credited him with advancing development initiatives during his time in office, particularly in infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation.
He said the transformation of Gujarat under Modi and India’s subsequent emergence as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies had made his leadership significant beyond India.
“Across these 25 years, Prime Minister Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development”, the President said, adding that his leadership had “lifted millions and inspired nations across the Global South.”
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Nigeria-India Strategic Partnership
Tinubu used the occasion to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with India, describing both countries as important partners with shared interests across several sectors.
He recalled Modi’s historic State Visit to Abuja in November 2024, during which the Nigerian government honoured the Indian leader with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, the country’s second-highest national honour.
Tinubu said the visit provided fresh impetus to bilateral relations and opened further opportunities for cooperation between both countries.
According to him, the areas of cooperation include trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education and technology.
“Nigeria deeply values the strategic partnership between our two great nations. I fondly recall the Prime Minister’s historic State Visit to Abuja in November 2024, when Nigeria honoured him with the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger”, Tinubu stated.
The President expressed confidence that the relationship between Nigeria and India would continue to expand, particularly as both countries seek greater economic and diplomatic cooperation.
Shared Global South Interests
Tinubu also pointed to the broader strategic significance of Nigeria-India relations, saying both countries occupy important positions as democracies and leading voices of the Global South. He said Nigeria and India share a common commitment to promoting a more equitable, inclusive and representative international order.
“As fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, Nigeria and India share a common commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and more representative international order”, he added.
The President added that he remained confident that the friendship between the Nigerian and Indian peoples would become stronger under Modi’s continued leadership.
Tinubu concluded his message by wishing Modi good health, strength and continued success as he serves the people of India.
“I wish him good health, continued strength and every success in the service of the people of India”, he said.
Background
Narendra Modi entered Gujarat’s top political office in 2001 as Chief Minister and remained in the position for more than 12 years before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014. His political career has therefore spanned a quarter of a century at the head of government in Gujarat and subsequently at the national level.
Nigeria and India have maintained longstanding diplomatic and economic relations, with cooperation extending across commerce, investment, energy, security, health, education and technology. Modi’s November 2024 visit to Nigeria was particularly significant in strengthening the relationship, with Nigeria conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on the Indian Prime Minister.
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