French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Nigeria on October 28 and 29 for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
According to presidency sources, the visit is scheduled to take place on those dates, barring any changes.
The trip is expected to build on agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France in November 2024.
During Tinubu’s visit, both leaders held discussions on finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade, investment and communication, among other areas of cooperation.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said at the time that the visit focused on “strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership”.
The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity for both governments to review progress on those agreements and explore further areas of cooperation.
Officials from the French presidency have already begun arriving in Nigeria to meet their Nigerian counterparts and finalise preparations for Macron’s visit.
Macron, Tinubu to Review Bilateral Relations
Macron has maintained diplomatic ties with Tinubu since the Nigerian president assumed office in 2023.
Tinubu has visited France at least nine times since becoming president, for official engagements, working vacations and private trips, according to the report.
Macron’s second and final presidential term is scheduled to end in May 2027.
‘Africa-France New Relationship Born in Nigeria’
Marc Fonbaustier, the French ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), announced the planned visit in July.
He said the trip would allow both countries to assess their growing strategic partnership and determine priorities for future cooperation.
“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 ambassador also linked the evolving relationship between Africa and France to Macron’s personal experience in Nigeria.
“The new relationship between Africa and France was, in some way, born in Nigeria or ‘Made in Nigeria’. Because as a young man, Emmanuel Macron spent six significant and formative months in this country while he was a student, 24 years ago,” he said.
Macron last visited Nigeria as French president in July 2018. During that visit, he met the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and toured the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
Chronicle NG reports that the forthcoming visit is expected to provide another opportunity for Nigeria and France to review their strategic partnership and discuss areas of mutual interest.
