Macron Set for Historic Nigeria Visit as France Unveils New Partnership Plans

French President, Emmanuel Macron, will visit Nigeria later this year for a State visit, marking another milestone in the growing diplomatic ties between both countries.

The announcement was made on Tuesday night in Abuja by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, during celebrations marking France’s National Day.

According to the envoy, the visit will provide an opportunity for Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the progress made in the Nigeria-France partnership and map out fresh areas of cooperation for the future.

Describing the announcement as a major revelation, Fonbaustier said Macron’s trip would take place two years after President Tinubu paid a State visit to Paris.

He said, “Secondly, a scoop. I am pleased and honored 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 this fall.

“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.”

The Ambassador said Nigeria and France had built a relationship based on mutual respect and equality, stressing that neither country sought to dominate the other.

“In a chaotic world searching for meaning, I would like to talk to you about values. I would like to focus on the three values that accompanied the birth of the French Republic: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

“First and foremost, Equality. I say this, and I say it with pride, that the partnership between Nigeria and France is, in reality, not just in words, a partnership between equals.

“This equality among members of the international community is the cornerstone of the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria and France continue to defend, against all odds.

“In our bilateral relationship, this principle has concrete implications. It means avoiding prejudice, not imposing anything, and not interfering. On the contrary, it means listening to each other, communicating openly, and making decisions together.

“I stand before you tonight to say that, together, Nigerians and French people, we fully respect the spirit and profound meaning of this word: Equality. Our common interests are clearly stated and understood.”

Fonbaustier said both nations were united by shared goals of economic growth, social development, employment creation and environmental sustainability.

“We want the economic and social development of both our countries, for our citizens, for job creation, and for improving the standards of living, with due respect for the environment, biodiversity, water and air,” he said.

Highlighting growing commercial ties, the envoy pointed to recent partnerships involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, saying the collaborations would further strengthen economic relations and improve television content available to Nigerians.

He also praised the initiative championed by Abdul Samad Rabiu to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris.

Speaking on governance, Fonbaustier reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities for women and men.

He added that the French Embassy continued to support programmes aimed at empowering women, young people and persons with disabilities socially and economically.

The Ambassador also highlighted ongoing cooperation through the French Development Agency (AFD), particularly projects designed to improve food security and strengthen agricultural value chains in northern Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region.

He said, “We are working together on agricultural issues, particularly to strengthen food security, in Nigeria of course, but also throughout the region together with ECOWAS.

“I would like to underscore the commitment of the AFD (French Development Agency) in the North, particularly its project on agricultural value chains, which complements another innovative project focused on market access, often in very remote areas.

“There are many other collaborative projects. All of them are shaped jointly.”

On security, Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France remained committed to strategic autonomy and the global fight against terrorism.

“Our two countries have repeatedly demonstrated this, through their unfailing and resolute commitment to the global fight against terrorism,” he said.

He added that both countries were collaborating to help nations strengthen their capacity to tackle terrorism across the region.

“In the face of terrorism, which is affecting the entire region, Nigeria and France are working together to assist countries eager to strengthen their capabilities, in order to better combat this scourge that destroys lives, communities and ultimately, our core values,” he said.

According to the Ambassador, West Africa requires a strong Nigeria, while Nigeria also needs a united and committed region to effectively confront insecurity.

Fonbaustier further described the Nigeria-France relationship as part of a broader strategic partnership between Africa and Europe, aimed at promoting stability, the rule of law and stronger international cooperation.

He also revealed that Macron’s approach to Africa was influenced by the six months he spent in Nigeria as a student 24 years ago.

“The new relationship between Africa and France was, in some way, born in Nigeria or ‘Made in Nigeria’. Because a young man, Emmanuel Macron, spent six significant and formative months in this country while he was a student, 24 years ago.

“He himself admits that this foundational experience inspired the broad outlines of his vision for the continent and his African diplomacy,” the Ambassador said.