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President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron have reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Nigeria and France, with both leaders expressing commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
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Macron hosted Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday night as the Nigerian President rounded off his working vacation in Europe, marking another high-level engagement between the two leaders.
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The meeting comes as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment and strategic partnerships, particularly in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals, finance and other areas of the Nigerian economy.
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The latest engagement builds on Tinubu’s November 2024 state visit to France, where he and Macron held extensive discussions on strengthening political and economic relations and expanding cooperation between Nigeria and France.
September 18, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron have reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Nigeria and France and their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The reaffirmation followed a private dinner hosted by Macron for Tinubu at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday night, as the Nigerian President rounded off his working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu, in a statement on his verified X handle on Friday, said his discussions with Macron centred on the relations between the two countries and the need to further strengthen their partnership.
“It was a pleasure to share a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace Présidence de la République in Paris.
“Our conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France, as well as our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations. I thank President Macron Emmanuel Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” the President wrote.
French President Macron hosted Nigerian President Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday night as the Nigerian President rounded off his working vacation in EuropeThe engagement was earlier disclosed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Macron received the Nigerian leader at the presidential palace for a private dinner.
According to Onanuga, the meeting reflected the enduring relationship between Abuja and Paris and their shared determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The dinner represents another high-level contact between Tinubu and Macron at a time when Nigeria is seeking to broaden its international economic partnerships and attract more foreign capital into the country.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has placed investment mobilisation at the centre of several of his international engagements, presenting Nigeria’s large consumer market, natural resources and ongoing economic reforms as opportunities for foreign investors.
France has featured prominently in those efforts, with the Nigerian administration seeking to deepen economic relations with French companies and institutions beyond the traditional areas of diplomatic and development cooperation.
The latest meeting also builds on Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024, when Macron hosted the Nigerian President for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening political and economic relations between both countries.
During the visit, Nigeria and France explored expanded cooperation in a number of strategic sectors, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, security, education, solid minerals, finance and investment.
The two governments also expressed their intention to develop a more mutually beneficial relationship capable of supporting investment, economic growth and broader cooperation.
The renewed engagement with France comes against the backdrop of Tinubu’s wider diplomatic drive to reposition Nigeria as an attractive destination for international investment and strategic partnerships.
The President has consistently used foreign engagements to court investors and promote his administration’s economic reforms, which have included major changes to fuel subsidy arrangements, foreign exchange management and the broader investment environment.
While the reforms have generated significant economic adjustments and public debate within Nigeria, the administration has maintained that they are intended to create a more sustainable economy, attract investment and lay the foundation for long-term growth.
France, meanwhile, remains an important partner for Nigeria, given the size of the Nigerian market, its strategic importance in West Africa and its role in continental affairs.
The relations between both countries also extends into security and regional matters, with Nigeria playing a significant role in West African affairs while France maintains longstanding diplomatic and economic interests across the continent.
Tinubu’s latest engagement with Macron therefore comes as both countries seek to consolidate existing areas of cooperation while identifying new opportunities for economic and strategic partnership.
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The President had departed Abuja on August 30 for his annual leave, travelling first to London before proceeding to Paris for the concluding part of his vacation.
The private dinner with Macron formed part of the President’s engagements in the French capital before the conclusion of his European trip.
Although details of the specific issues discussed at the private dinner were not made public, Tinubu’s account indicated that the talks were focused on strengthening the broader relationship between Nigeria and France.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm their personal diplomatic relationship, which has featured prominently in the renewed contacts between Abuja and Paris since Tinubu assumed office.
For Nigeria, stronger ties with France could provide opportunities for increased investment, technology transfer and partnerships in key sectors of the economy, particularly as the Federal Government seeks to reduce dependence on traditional sources of external financing.
The Tinubu administration has also continued to engage European governments and businesses as part of efforts to mobilise capital for infrastructure and other development priorities.
Thursday’s dinner consequently represents more than a social engagement between two heads of government, coming against the backdrop of sustained efforts by Abuja and Paris to deepen their bilateral relationship.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
