By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in government, describing the milestone as a rare achievement in a democracy and a testament to the confidence of the Indian people.
Tinubu conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, marking 25 years since Modi first assumed office in 2001 as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
The President noted that Modi’s public service had continued uninterrupted, first as head of government of Gujarat for more than 12 years and subsequently as Prime Minister of India since 2014.
According to Tinubu, Modi’s 25 years of public service represent a significant milestone, particularly in India, the world’s most populous nation.
“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 said.
The Nigerian President commended Modi’s leadership and credited his administration with advancing development in areas including infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation.
He said Modi’s leadership had contributed to India’s transformation from Gujarat to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, while also inspiring other countries across the Global South.
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Tinubu also highlighted the longstanding strategic relationship 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 provided fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education and technology.
The President described Nigeria and India as fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, noting that both countries share a commitment to a more inclusive and representative international order.
Tinubu expressed confidence that bilateral relations between Nigeria and India would continue to deepen under Modi’s leadership.
“As Prime Minister Modi marks this remarkable anniversary, I wish him good health, continued strength and every success in the service of the people of India,” the President said.
