French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to embark on a state visit to Nigeria before the end of October.
The presidency confirmed that the trip is slated for October 28 and 29, reciprocating President Bola Tinubu’s three-day state visit to Paris in November 2024.
French presidency officials have arrived in the country to hold key discussions with the federal government of Nigeria and to finalise preparations ahead of the two-day diplomatic engagement.
During President Tinubu’s previous trip to France, both leaders held extensive discussions on finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade, and communication. President Tinubu has maintained close diplomatic ties with the French leader, visiting France at least nine times for official and private engagements since assuming office in 2023.
Speaking on the upcoming visit, the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, stated that the trip will allow both countries to review their growing strategic partnership.
“Together, our two presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples,” Fonbaustier said.
The envoy added that the relationship between Africa and France was partly born in Nigeria, recalling that Macron spent six formative months in the country as a student 24 years ago.
Macron, whose second and final term in office ends in May 2027, last visited Nigeria as French President in July 2018, where he held talks with former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Leave a comment