French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between both countries.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, during celebrations marking France’s National Day.
Fonbaustier said the visit comes two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris and will provide an opportunity for both leaders to review progress made under their bilateral roadmap and set new priorities for future cooperation.
“I am pleased and honoured 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,” the ambassador said. “Together, our two Presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come.”
The envoy described the Nigeria-France relationship as a partnership founded on equality, mutual respect and non-interference. He said both countries engage as equal partners, guided by shared interests and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Fonbaustier said cooperation between the two nations spans economic development, agriculture, environmental sustainability and food security. He highlighted the French Development Agency’s support for agricultural value chain projects in northern Nigeria, alongside initiatives aimed at improving market access in remote communities.
He also underscored the two countries’ security partnership, noting that Nigeria and France continue to work together in tackling terrorism and strengthening the capacity of countries across the region to address security challenges.
The ambassador added that Macron’s longstanding connection with Nigeria dates back more than two decades, when he spent six months in the country as a student. According to Fonbaustier, the French president has often said the experience helped shape his vision for Africa and influenced France’s approach to relations with the continent.
