French President Emmanuel Macron will make a State visit to Nigeria later this year as France and Nigeria seek to strengthen their diplomatic, economic and security partnership.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Marc Fonbaustier, announced the visit on Tuesday night during celebrations marking France’s National Day in Abuja.
According to the ambassador, the trip will come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to Paris and will provide both leaders with an opportunity to review progress made in bilateral relations and set new priorities.
“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,” Fonbaustier said.
The ambassador described the relationship between Nigeria and France as one built on mutual respect and equality, insisting 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,” he said.
Fonbaustier said both countries share common ambitions in economic growth, job 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.
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He highlighted recent business partnerships, including Carrefour’s collaboration with HyperCity, Accor’s partnership with Shoreline and Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, describing them as evidence of expanding commercial ties between both nations.
On governance, Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France remained united in promoting democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities, adding that the French Embassy continues to support women, young people and persons with disabilities through empowerment programmes.
He also pointed to ongoing agricultural cooperation through the French Development Agency (AFD), particularly projects aimed at improving food security and agricultural value chains in northern Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region.
“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,” he said.
On security, the ambassador said both countries remain committed to combating terrorism and strengthening regional stability.
“Our two countries have repeatedly demonstrated this, through their unfailing and resolute commitment to the global fight against terrorism,” he said.
“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 added.
Fonbaustier noted that a secure West Africa depends on a strong Nigeria working alongside a united region.
He also revealed that Macron’s interest in Africa was shaped by a six-month stay in Nigeria as a student more than two decades 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,” Fonbaustier said.