- French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier has announced that President Emmanuel Macron will undertake an official state visit to Nigeria later this year.
- The upcoming visit comes two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, highlighting a growing strategic and equal partnership between the two nations.
- Ambassador Fonbaustier revealed that Macron’s foundational ideas on African diplomacy were heavily shaped by a six-month stay in Nigeria as a student 24 years ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to embark on an official State visit to Nigeria this fall, the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, has announced.
Eko Hot Blog reports that describing the upcoming trip as a prime opportunity to review and expand the growing strategic alliance between Paris and Abuja, Fonbaustier framed the diplomatic visit as a major step forward for bilateral cooperation, particularly in expanding energy frameworks and agricultural technology development.
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The ambassador made the disclosure while delivering his keynote address during France’s National Day celebration in Abuja.
Fonbaustier noted that Macron’s trip represents a reciprocal move following President Bola Tinubu’s high-profile State visit to Paris two years ago.
The state visit will allow both heads of state to evaluate the progress of their shared roadmap and map out fresh avenues for economic, social, and security collaborations.
Throughout his address, Fonbaustier stressed that the relationship between Nigeria and France is firmly rooted in mutual respect, treating each other as partners of equal standing on the global stage.
He pointed out that this philosophy of equality guides their diplomatic interactions, focusing on open dialogue, mutual listening, and shared decision-making without internal interference.
The envoy highlighted the strong commercial ties between the two nations, pointing to recent successful business collaborations.
These include retail partnerships between Carrefour and HyperCity, hospitality agreements between Accor and Shoreline, and the notable acquisition of MultiChoice by French media giant Canal+.
He also praised the philanthropic work of Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, who is leading an initiative to establish the House of African Worlds in Paris to foster cultural exchanges.
Beyond business and culture, the partnership extends significantly into agriculture, sustainable development, and regional security.
Through the French Development Agency (AFD), France is actively funding initiatives to improve food security and strengthen agricultural value chains, particularly in northern Nigeria and across the wider ECOWAS region.
On security, both countries remain closely aligned in the global fight against terrorism, collaborating to enhance the tactical capabilities of regional nations dealing with violent extremism.
Interestingly, Fonbaustier revealed that President Macron’s personal connection to Nigeria runs deep. As a student 24 years ago, Macron spent six formative months living and working in Nigeria.
According to the ambassador, this early experience heavily influenced and inspired Macron’s current diplomatic vision and policy framework for the African continent.
