President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France and the commitment of both countries to deepening bilateral cooperation.
Tinubu, who is rounding off his working vacation in Europe, was hosted by Macron to the private dinner at the Élysée Palace on Thursday night.
The President disclosed details of the engagement on Friday morning in a post on his verified X handle, saying his discussion with Macron focused on the relationship between the two countries and the need to further strengthen their partnership.
“It was a pleasure to share a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace Présidence de la République in Paris.
“Our conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France, as well as our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations.
“I thank President Macron Emmanuel Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” Tinubu wrote.
The meeting had earlier been announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the engagement as another reflection of the enduring relationship between Abuja and Paris.
The dinner came as Tinubu concludes his European working vacation, which began with his departure from Abuja on August 30. London was his first destination before he proceeded to Paris.
The latest engagement builds on a series of contacts between Tinubu and Macron as Nigeria and France seek to expand cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic relations to trade, investment and other areas of economic development.
The relationship received a major boost during Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024, when Macron hosted the Nigerian President in Paris for high-level discussions on strengthening political and economic ties.
The visit covered areas including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, security, education, solid minerals, finance and investment, with both governments expressing interest in developing a broader partnership.
Tinubu has continued to make investment mobilisation a major focus of his engagements with France, presenting Nigeria’s economic reforms and large domestic market as opportunities for French and other international investors.
During his stay in Paris, the President also met French businessman Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group to discuss expanding investments in Nigeria.
The discussions covered investments in film, entertainment, fibre-optic infrastructure and the digital economy, with Tinubu calling for greater localisation of businesses operating in Nigeria.
The President said Nigerian music, films, fashion and other aspects of the country’s creative culture were enjoying growing international recognition, but argued that the popularity should translate into greater economic benefits for Nigerians.
“Nigeria is having a remarkable cultural moment in the world. Our music fills stadiums across continents. Our films and stories are reaching new audiences. Nigerian creativity, fashion and culture are commanding global attention.
“We must turn this moment into lasting economic value for our people,” he said.
Tinubu said businesses associated with the Bolloré Group, including Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music, were looking to expand their operations in Nigeria.
He said the companies viewed Nigeria as a major driver of Africa’s growing cultural influence, powered by Nollywood, Afrobeats and the global demand for Nigerian creative content.
The President stressed that the international success of Nigerian talent must increasingly translate into local production, infrastructure development and employment opportunities.
“I want more of the value created by Nigerian talent to remain in Nigeria. More production at home. Greater investment in our local industries and infrastructure. More opportunities and jobs for our young people,” Tinubu said.
He said he had consistently pressed investors on greater localisation, including in discussions involving MultiChoice.
Tinubu linked the investment drive to his administration’s economic reforms, saying the reforms were designed to create conditions capable of attracting capital and stimulating economic growth.
“Our reforms are creating the conditions for investment and growth. My responsibility is to ensure that these investments translate into real opportunities for Nigerians.
“This is the purpose of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
