Tinubu hails Modi's 25-year tenure, pushes Nigeria-India ties

President Bola Tinubu has sent congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking a quarter-century in government service. In a message released Wednesday, Tinubu described Modi's two-and-a-half decades in constitutional office as an uncommon achievement within a democratic framework, reflecting the sustained confidence of Indian voters in his leadership.

Modi's public career began in 2001 when he took the position of Chief Minister of Gujarat, a post he held for more than 12 years before ascending to the role of Prime Minister of India in 2014. Tinubu's statement acknowledged this progression while framing the milestone as historically significant.

The Nigerian president used the occasion to advocate for expanded cooperation between Nigeria and India across sectors including commercial trade, energy production, and technological advancement. Beyond government channels, India's business community in Nigeria also marked the occasion.

Kiran M. Gosavi, who leads the Federation of Indian Industry's Nigerian chapter, released a statement on behalf of both the business sector and the broader Indian community in the country, expressing appreciation for Modi's administrative record and its effects on governance and the Indian diaspora abroad.

The timing of Tinubu's message, issued on October 7, comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen partnerships with major global economies. Tinubu's emphasis on strengthening Nigeria-India relations through trade, energy, and technology partnerships signals an intention to leverage Modi's continued presence in Indian leadership for bilateral gains.

Both the Indian diaspora statement and Tinubu's message arrived on the same date, October 7, 2026.