President Tinubu Seeks Stronger Ties with France in Food Security, Energy, and Education

President Bola Tinubu, during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des L’Élysée in Paris on Thursday, November 28, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with France.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Tinubu highlighted key areas of collaboration, including food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in fostering sustainable development and enhancing regional and global stability.

This meeting underscores Nigeria’s continued efforts to deepen its ties with France, building on shared interests and mutual benefits.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, outlined the key highlights of the President’s discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron in a statement titled “Paris: President Tinubu Urges More Investments in Food Security, Solid Minerals, Energy, and Education”.

He said:

 “The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in each another’s country.”

He emphasized that Nigeria’s growing financial sector has the potential to draw foreign investment, particularly from French companies, in the pursuit of enhancing food security.

“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.

“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.

“We are working on stability, and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” he stated.

President Tinubu assured that Nigeria is restructuring its economy to attract more Foreign Direct Investment, which will have a direct positive impact on the lives of its citizens.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business, and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.

The President urged the French government to offer training programs that would help develop Nigeria’s youthful population.

“Furthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potential, and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” the President added.

President Tinubu noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, had been preoccupied with tackling issues of food security.

“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st century, no child should go to bed hungry,” he told the French President and his delegation.

“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us,” President Tinubu said.

Regarding security, Tinubu emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in combating terrorism.

“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” he noted.

The President highlighted that Nigeria’s blue economy presents a significant investment opportunity, particularly in the untapped potential of its fisheries sector.

“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fisheries are an important aspect of investment.

“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out,” the President noted.

President Macron recognized President Tinubu’s state visit as a significant milestone, marking the beginning of a deeper bilateral relationship. He particularly emphasized the importance of collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-oriented initiatives.

Macron also highlighted that global humanitarian challenges can only be addressed through collective government efforts.

“We have confidence that you, Mr President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role.

“I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.

“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said.

President Macron had previously pledged to promote increased investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

This commitment was reinforced during a political meeting where an agreement was signed, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, presented on the sector’s potential.