On Saturday, November 18, 2024, Nigeria welcomed its first-ever visit from an Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T). This historic event marked a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Nigeria was part of a broader diplomatic tour that included stops at the G20 Summit in Brazil and meetings with representatives of Caribbean nations in Guyana.

Upon his arrival in Nigeria, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with a warm reception by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. The ceremonial welcome set the tone for a series of productive engagements aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria.

The following day, President Bola Tinubu joined Prime Minister Modi at the Aso Villa for a series of photo-ops and discussions that highlighted the close ties between the two developing nations.

And so a diplomatic bromance starts in full swing. The meeting between President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi was marked by a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction with the discussions, stating: Had a very productive discussion with President Tinubu. We talked about adding momentum to our strategic partnership. There is immense scope for ties to flourish even further in sectors like defence, energy, technology, trade, health, education and more.

This sentiment was echoed by President Tinubu, who emphasised the importance of rekindling and reclassifying the relationship between Nigeria and India.

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Before the visitation ended on Sunday evening, it fortunately saw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between India and Nigeria, focusing on cultural exchange, cooperation in customs, and survey cooperation.

In terms of cultural interaction, both the host and the guest saw that on display at the latter’s town hall meetup with the Indian diaspora living in Abuja. Mr Modi recognised the joy felt by the Marathi community in Nigeria over being conferred the status of a classical language. Despite being far from their Southern Asian home, they remain connected to their culture and roots.

Probably not as deeply as rooted as the prime minister in his mastery of the Yoruba language. At a joint press briefing he attended with his host, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India member while commending Nigeria’s remarkable hospitality upon his visit had muttered oremi which refers to someone regarded as a friend in Bola Tinubu’s mother tongue.  

The agreements both leaders facilitated are expected to pave the way for increased collaboration in various sectors, including defence, energy, technology, trade, health, and education. The strategic partnership between the two nations is poised to bring significant economic benefits and foster greater cooperation on global issues such as terrorism, piracy, and drug trafficking.

Despite the diplomatic success of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, President Tinubu continues to face significant criticism at home. Many Nigerians remain sceptical of his leadership, with allegations of drug trafficking and election rigging casting a shadow over his presidency.

Critics argue that the 2023 election that brought Tinubu to power was marred by irregularities and lacked transparency. These allegations have fueled ongoing debates about the legitimacy of his administration and its ability to address the pressing challenges facing Nigeria.

While the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Nigeria represents a diplomatic feat for President Tinubu, it also underscores the complexities and challenges of his leadership.

The successful engagement with India highlights Tinubu’s ability to foster international partnerships and attract foreign investment. However, the domestic controversies surrounding his presidency cannot be ignored.

Meiza Nigeria