French president macron expected in Nigeria for state visit in October
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to embark on a state visit to Nigeria before the end of October, with the visit reportedly scheduled for October 28 and 29.
According to presidency sources, the visit could still be subject to changes.
Macron’s visit is expected to build on the relationship between France and Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France in November 2024.
During the 2024 visit, Tinubu and Macron discussed issues including finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communication.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said at the time that the visit focused on strengthening political, economic and cultural relations and creating more opportunities for partnership.
The forthcoming visit is expected to strengthen agreements reached by both countries during Tinubu’s visit to France.
French presidency officials have also reportedly begun arriving in Nigeria to hold discussions with their Nigerian counterparts and finalise preparations for Macron’s visit.
Macron, whose second and final term as French president ends in May 2027, has maintained close ties with Tinubu since he assumed office.
Tinubu has visited France at least nine times since 2023 for official engagements, working vacations and private trips.
‘africa-france new relationship born in nigeria’
Marc Fonbaustier, French ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, first announced Macron’s planned visit to Nigeria in July.
Fonbaustier said the visit would provide an opportunity for both countries to review their growing strategic partnership.
“Together, our two presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples,” he said.
The envoy also described the relationship between Africa and France as having been, in some way, “born in Nigeria” or “Made in Nigeria”.
He explained that Macron, as a young man, spent six significant and formative months in Nigeria while he was a student, 24 years ago.
Macron last visited Nigeria as French president in July 2018, when he met the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and toured the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
