Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu arrived in France on Thursday for a two-day state visit. It is the first official trip of any Nigerian leader to Paris in over twenty years. Tinubu is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi, and several ministers, aides, and business people.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Tinubu warmly, humorously using Nigerian Pidgin English to greet his Nigerian visitor. “Na big honour for France,” he posted on social media, expressing his delight at welcoming the Nigerian president.
Na big honor for France, dear President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT, to welcome you for dis State visit as one big partner and friend of today and tomorrow.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 28, 2024
E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time. pic.twitter.com/nKj3fWUfK2
Strategic Engagements
Tinubu’s state visit began with a ceremony at Les Invalides in Paris, accompanied by Macron, the two first ladies, and representatives from the French army.
Later, both leaders attended the Nigerian-France Business Council meeting at the Elysee Palace. Macron’s office noted that Tinubu’s visit is “an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria.”
Investments and Cooperation
In 2023, Nigeria became France’s top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with trade exceeding $5 billion. Nigeria’s exports, primarily crude oil, largely drive this trade.
During the visit, President Tinubu said, “Nigeria is open for business,” urging countries to consider Nigeria a serious partner. He called for investments in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation, and energy transition.
Tinubu emphasized shared interests with France in finance, trade, and communication. He highlighted the room for more investments in the agriculture sector, stating, “It is our responsibility to put together a food security program for the private sector to come and invest in the country.“
President Macron assured that France will “continue to invest” in Nigeria.
Accompanying Tinubu is a group of entrepreneurs and young business leaders eager to expand their business connections. Kolawole Osinowo, CEO of Baobab Plus, a French-Nigerian renewable energy firm, said the visit will strengthen ties and support sustainable growth.
“A lot of people in Nigeria don’t have access to electricity, so we’re supporting the government by bridging the gap,” he said.
Osinowo said the need was to go beyond aid and focus on increased investment to stimulate Nigeria’s economy. “This is essential so people don’t have to migrate, which causes different global migration issues,” he added.
Building Stronger Connections
Nigeria is hoping to build stronger connections with France by this visit to facilitate mutual growth and development.
On the other hand, the visit comes as France works to enhance its relationships with African nations too. Increasing geopolitical competition from countries like China and Russia has prompted France to engage more with the continent.
France under Macron has focused on renewing ties with Africa since he took office in 2017. Still, it has also suffered significant geopolitical setbacks in the Sahel, where it lost a few friends, such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The new military governments there have pivoted toward Russia, cutting ties with France. Chad also announced the end of its defense cooperation agreement with France.
In response, France appears to have turned to Nigeria, seeking to strengthen its engagement with the most populous black country.
Mr Tinubu is due back in Abuja later today.
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