Rare democratic feat, Tinubu hails Indian PM Modi’s 25-year leadership milestone

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his 25th anniversary in government, describing the milestone as a “rare achievement in any democracy.”

Tinubu, in a statement he personally issued on Wednesday to mark the anniversary, congratulated Modi on behalf of the Nigerian government and people, as well as on his own behalf.

“Today, 7 October 2026, marks 25 years since he first assumed office in 2001 as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat,” Tinubu said.

Modi served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for more than 12 years before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014.

Tinubu noted that Modi’s 25 years of uninterrupted public service represented a significant milestone, particularly in a democracy.

“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,” he said.

The Nigerian President also highlighted what he described as Modi’s contributions to India’s development, citing infrastructure, digital public services, financial inclusion and innovation.

“Across these 25 years, Prime Minister Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development,” Tinubu said.

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He added that Modi’s leadership had contributed to the transformation of Gujarat and India’s emergence as “one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies.”

Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with India, recalling Modi’s State Visit to Abuja in November 2024.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the visit provided fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education and technology.

Tinubu said Nigeria and India, as democracies and leading voices of the Global South, shared a commitment to a more inclusive and representative international order.

“I remain confident that, under his continued leadership, the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow ever stronger,” he said.

The President wished Modi “good health, continued strength and every success in the service of the people of India” as he marks the anniversary.