French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to undertake a state visit to Nigeria, describing the trip as an opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership between both countries.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, during the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja.
Fonbaustier said the visit, which will come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, would provide an opportunity for both leaders to review the progress made under their bilateral roadmap and chart new areas of cooperation.
“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 a state visit.
“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,” he said.
The ambassador described Nigeria and France as equal partners whose relationship is founded on equality, mutual respect and non-interference.
He said both countries continue to engage on the basis of shared interests without imposing decisions on one another.
“In a chaotic world searching for meaning, 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 with pride: 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.
“In our bilateral relationship, this means avoiding prejudice, imposing nothing and interfering in nothing. Rather, it means listening to one another, communicating openly and making decisions together. Our common interests are clearly stated and understood,” Fonbaustier said.
According to him, both countries are working together to promote economic and social development, create jobs and improve living standards while protecting the environment.
He highlighted ongoing cooperation in agriculture, particularly initiatives aimed at strengthening food security in Nigeria and across the West African region in partnership with ECOWAS.
Fonbaustier also praised the contributions of the French Development Agency (AFD), particularly its agricultural value chain projects in northern Nigeria and other initiatives designed to improve market access in remote communities.
On security, the ambassador said Nigeria and France remain committed to strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism across the region.
“Our two countries have repeatedly demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the global fight against terrorism.
“In the face of terrorism affecting the entire region, Nigeria and France are working together to support countries seeking to strengthen their capabilities to combat this scourge that destroys lives, communities and our shared values,” he said.
Fonbaustier added that Macron’s relationship with Africa was shaped in part by his experience 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 Emmanuel Macron spent six significant and formative months in this country as a student 24 years ago.
“He himself acknowledges that the experience helped shape his vision for Africa and his diplomacy towards the continent,” the ambassador said.
