French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, has announced that President Emmanuel Macron will pay a State visit to Nigeria this fall to deepen ties between the two countries.
The ambassador made the disclosure on Tuesday night during the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja, describing the visit as a major diplomatic milestone that would enable both leaders to review the progress made in bilateral relations and outline a roadmap for future cooperation.
According to Fonbaustier, Macron’s trip comes two years after President Bola Tinubu paid a State visit to Paris.
“I am pleased and honoured 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,” he said.
He explained that Macron and Tinubu would use the visit to assess the implementation of existing agreements and define new areas of collaboration that would benefit both nations.
“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 envoy stated.
Fonbaustier said the relationship between Nigeria and France is built on mutual respect and equality, stressing that both countries interact as equal partners without interference in each other’s internal affairs.
He noted that the principle of equality, one of the founding ideals of the French Republic alongside liberty and fraternity, remains central to France’s engagement with Nigeria.
“The partnership between Nigeria and France is, in reality, not just in words, a partnership between equals,” he said, adding that both nations remain committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The ambassador said both countries share common goals, including economic growth, job creation, environmental sustainability and improved living standards for their citizens.
He highlighted recent business collaborations involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, describing them as evidence of expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
The ambassador also described the France-Nigeria relationship as part of a broader strategic partnership between Europe and Africa, aimed at promoting peace, stability and international cooperation.
He further revealed that Macron’s interest in Africa was shaped by his six-month stay in Nigeria as a student about 24 years ago.
According to Fonbaustier, the French President has often acknowledged that his experience in Nigeria played a significant role in shaping his vision for Africa and France’s diplomatic engagement with the continent.