President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a two-day state visit to France, marking the first official visit by a Nigerian leader to the country in over two decades.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Tinubu at the historic Invalides memorial complex in Paris. The visit aims to bolster economic cooperation between France and Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, as France seeks to strengthen its ties with English-speaking African countries following recent challenges with former allies on the continent.
The reception featured a formal ceremony, with both national anthems played and Tinubu inspecting a guard of honour in the courtyard of the iconic Parisian landmark.
Macron, who has advocated for a “renewal” of France-Africa relations since his election in 2017, views the visit as an opportunity to deepen the already vibrant ties between the two nations.
“The trip is an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria,” the French presidency stated.
Expressing his gratitude, Tinubu shared a message on social media, saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my friend, President Macron, for the gracious welcome this splendid morning at the start of my state visit to France. Nigeria and France have a rich history of collaboration across various sectors. I am eager to engage in our bilateral discussions and explore new avenues for partnership that can benefit both nations.”
The visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen economic partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
