French President Emmanuel Macron is set to travel to Nigeria for a state visit aimed at strengthening the strategic ties between the two nations. This development was shared on Tuesday evening by Marc Fonbaustier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during France’s National Day festivities in Abuja.
This upcoming visit arrives two years following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s own state visit to Paris. Ambassador Fonbaustier noted that the meeting will allow the two leaders to evaluate their existing bilateral roadmap and establish fresh goals for future cooperation. The envoy highlighted that the relationship between Nigeria and France operates on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference.
Fonbaustier emphasized that the partnership focuses on tangible progress, including economic development, job creation, and improved living standards. He specifically pointed to the work of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which seeks to bolster food security across the region in collaboration with ECOWAS. Beyond economic efforts, the ambassador underscored a joint commitment to regional security, noting that both nations are active participants in the global struggle against terrorism.
Reflecting on the historical connection, Fonbaustier mentioned that President Macron’s perspective on African diplomacy was partially shaped by a significant six-month period he spent in Nigeria as a student over two decades ago. The visit is expected to result in ambitious outcomes that benefit the citizens of both countries.
