Macron Set to Embark on State Visit to Nigeria, Strengthen Ties

In a significant development, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to undertake a state visit to Nigeria later this year, as announced by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier. This visit comes two years after President Bola Tinubu's state visit to Paris and is expected to provide an opportunity for both nations to assess their growing strategic partnership and chart a new course for future cooperation. According to Fonbaustier, the visit will enable the two presidents to evaluate the progress of their roadmap and outline key elements of their relationship for the years to come, which will be ambitious and mutually beneficial for both countries. The ambassador emphasized that the relationship between Nigeria and France is built on the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity, with both nations regarding each other as partners of equals. He highlighted that this equality is the cornerstone of the United Nations Charter, which both countries continue to defend. In their bilateral relationship, this principle has concrete implications, including avoiding prejudice, not imposing anything, and not interfering, but rather listening to each other, communicating openly, and making decisions together. Fonbaustier noted that both countries share common goals, such as economic and social development, job creation, and environmental protection. He cited recent commercial partnerships, including collaborations between Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+'s acquisition of MultiChoice, as examples of growing economic ties. The ambassador also commended the initiative to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris, led by Abdul Samad Rabiu. On democracy and governance, Fonbaustier stated that Nigeria and France remain committed to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression, and equal opportunities for women and men. The French Embassy continues to support women, young people, and persons with disabilities to promote their economic and social empowerment. The ambassador underscored ongoing cooperation in agriculture, particularly projects aimed at strengthening food security and agricultural value chains in northern Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region. He emphasized that both countries are working together to support nations seeking to strengthen their capacity to combat terrorism. Fonbaustier stressed that the region needs a strong Nigeria, while Nigeria also requires a united and mobilized region to confront insecurity. The ambassador described the France-Nigeria partnership as part of a wider strategic relationship between Europe and Africa, with both continents working together to promote stability, the rule of law, and global cooperation. He disclosed that Macron's vision for Africa was shaped in part by his six-month stay in Nigeria as a student 24 years ago, which inspired the broad outlines of his vision for the continent and his African diplomacy.