Nigeria has conferred its second-highest national award on visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The "Grand Commander of the Order of Niger” award was presented to Modi at a ceremony at the State House in Nigeria by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday for the former’s “statesmanship and stellar contribution to fostering India-Nigeria ties,” an official statement said.

Modi is the first foreign leader to be conferred with this award since 1969, it said.

“The award citation notes that under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India has been positioned as a global powerhouse, and his transformative governance has fostered unity, peace and shared prosperity for all,’ the statement added.

While accepting the award, Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and to the longstanding, historical friendship between India and Nigeria.

He further stated that the recognition underscores the strategic partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to the aspirations of the Global South.