French President Emmanuel Macron will make a state visit to Nigeria, announced the French ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, who described the visit as a chance for both nations to assess their expanding strategic partnership and outline a new direction for future collaboration.
Fonbaustier announced it during his speech at the celebration of France’s National Day on Tuesday evening in Abuja.
Disclosing what he termed a scoop, the ambassador indicated that Macron’s visit would occur two years following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris.
He said, “Secondly, a scoop. I am pleased and honored to announce that, two years after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, the president of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nigeria for another state visit this fall.
“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.”
The envoy stated that the relationship between Nigeria and France was founded on equality, stressing that both countries regarded each other as partners of equals.
“In a chaotic world searching for meaning, I would like to talk to you about values. I would like to focus on the three values that accompanied the birth of the French Republic: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
“First and foremost, equality. I say this, and I liberty, equality, and fraternity. The relationship between Nigeria and France is, in reality, not just in words, a partnership between equals.
“This equality among members of the international community is the cornerstone of the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria and France continue to defend, against all odds.
“In our bilateral relationship, this principle has concrete implications. It means being impartial, refraining from imposing anything, and abstaining from interference. On the contrary, it means listening to each other, communicating openly, and making decisions together.
“I stand before you tonight to say that, together, Nigerians and French people, we fully respect the spirit and profound meaning of this word: equality. Our common interests are clearly stated and understood,” the envoy stated.
Fonbaustier mentioned that both countries shared the common goals of economic and social development, job creation, and environmental protection.
“We want the economic and social development of both our countries, for our citizens, for job creation, and for improving the standards of living, with due respect for the environment, biodiversity, water, and air,” he said.
Fonbaustier emphasized the recent commercial alliances formed between Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, and Canal+’s purchase of MultiChoice, stating that these partnerships demonstrated increasing economic connections and would enhance television content in Nigeria.
The ambassador praised the effort by Abdul Samad Rabiu to create a House of African Worlds in Paris.
Regarding democracy and governance, he stated that Nigeria and France are dedicated to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech, and equal opportunities for both women and men.
He mentioned that the French Embassy persisted in aiding women, youth, and individuals with disabilities to advance their economic and social empowerment.
Fonbaustier also highlighted continuing collaboration in agriculture via the French Development Agency, especially initiatives focused on enhancing food security and agricultural value chains in northern Nigeria and the ECOWAS area.
He said, “We are working together on agricultural issues, particularly to strengthen food security, in Nigeria, of course, but also throughout the region together with ECOWAS.
“I would like to underscore the commitment of the AFD (French Development Agency) in the North, particularly its project on agricultural value chains, which complements another innovative project focused on market access, often in very remote areas.
“There are many other collaborative projects. All of them are shaped jointly.”
Speaking on security, he mentioned Nigeria and France shared a commitment to strategic autonomy and the global fight against terrorism.
“Our two countries have repeatedly demonstrated this through their unfailing and resolute commitment to the global fight against terrorism,” he said.
He also noted that both countries were working together to support nations seeking to strengthen their capacity to combat terrorism.
“In the face of terrorism, which is affecting the entire region, Nigeria and France are working together to assist countries eager to strengthen their capabilities in order to better combat this scourge that destroys lives, communities, and ultimately, our core values,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized that a robust Nigeria was essential for the region, just as Nigeria needed a cohesive and activated region to tackle insecurity.
In the context of international relations, Fonbaustier characterized the France-Nigeria partnership as a segment of a larger strategic alliance between Europe and Africa, stating that both regions are collaborating to enhance stability, uphold the rule of law, and foster global cooperation.
He also revealed that Macron’s perspective on Africa He also disclosed that Macron’s six-month experience as a student in Nigeria 24 years ago partly shaped his perspective on Africa. by his six-month experience in Nigeria as a student 24 years prior.
“The new relationship between Africa and France was, in some way, born in Nigeria or ‘made in Nigeria.’ This new relationship is partly a result of Emmanuel Macron, as a young man, spending six significant and formative months in Nigeria 24 years ago while he was a student.
“He himself admits that this foundational experience inspired the broad outlines of his vision for the continent and his African diplomacy,” he said.
