French President Emmanuel Macron praised Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday for applying the transformative leadership he displayed in Lagos to Nigeria’s national development. Macron made the remarks during a joint press conference held in France, where Tinubu is on an official visit.
Macron acknowledged Tinubu’s commitment to tackling security challenges across the ECOWAS region and fostering a favorable environment for international investments. He described Tinubu’s leadership as a key factor in boosting investor confidence in Nigeria.
“Your energy and dynamism are inspiring,” Macron said. “You are transforming Nigeria with the same vigor that shaped Lagos, creating confidence among investors and positioning your country as a major global partner.”
This morning, Oluremi and I were genuinely touched by the grand welcome from President Macron and First Lady Brigitte, which truly set the tone for our state visit to France.#NigeriaFranceCooperation#StateVisit 🇳🇬🇫🇷#PBATinFrance pic.twitter.com/d1CMUCJ8Ow
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) November 28, 2024Expanding France-Nigeria Partnerships
Macron announced plans to expand France’s partnership with Nigeria across sectors such as health, creative industries, and climate change. He emphasized Nigeria’s growing role as a hub for financial institutions and outlined areas for further collaboration, including food security, mining, and defense.
“In recent years, Nigerian banks have established themselves in France, strengthening our economic ties,” Macron said. “We are committed to partnering with Nigeria on critical issues like energy, minerals, and defense strategy.”
Un honneur pour la France, cher Président Bola Tinubu, d’accueillir en visite d’État un grand partenaire, un ami d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
C’est aussi une grande fierté pour le jeune stagiaire que j’ai été à l’ambassade de France au Nigéria. pic.twitter.com/5Xh1Afz3kQ
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 28, 2024Tinubu’s Strategic Visit
Tinubu’s visit comes amid geopolitical shifts in the Sahel region, where France’s influence has waned. Recent developments, including the expulsion of French forces from Niger, have created challenges for France’s role in the region. Tinubu, as ECOWAS chairman, is positioned to play a crucial role in addressing these dynamics.
France remains a key economic partner for Nigeria, with bilateral trade valued at billions of dollars annually.
