By Fatimah Alli
“Apart from this economic partnership which makes France a long-term partner with you, we also want to partner with you on food security and the extraction of your minerals and be a partner of your defense strategy-” President Macron
French President, Emmanuel Macron has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his transformation agenda in Nigeria as exemplified in his days when he was the Lagos State governor.
The French President stated this on Thursday during a joint press conference with President Tinubu who is on a state visit to France.
On bilateral ties between the two countries, President Macron commended the Nigerian President’s leadership style, especially regarding his commitment to improved security in the ECOWAS region, to which Tinubu is the current chairman.
Macron noted with interest Tinubu’s ability to bring about confidence in French and international business communities, thereby positioning Nigeria as an a destination for Foreign Direct Investment, FDI.
“I would like to congratulate you for your leadership and the desire for us to work together. I would like to thank you Mr. President for your presence, on the state visit. I’d like to thank you for your energy and dynamism.
The French President stated: “Having transformed the state of Lagos, you’re using that energy to transform your country for the better.
“The energy that we have felt among your ministers, investors and business communities, has completely convinced us the French and also the whole business world to invest in your country and make Nigeria a major partner for now and for the
Macron also expressed his country’s readiness to establish a multi-sectoral partnership with the Nigerian government, which will include agreements in health, the creative industries, and climate change.
He added that France remains a business epi-center for many Nigerian financial institutions, stating further that his country seeks to develop a longer-term collaboration with Nigeria, in the areas food security, mining, and defense.
President Macron said that, “In each of these sectors, we have defined some lines of action in terms of critical minerals and energy, we will be signing some supplementary agreements. In the last few years, I’m glad to see the partnership we have signed with the strengthening of Nigerian banking in our country in the last five years.
“We have become the business hub for Nigerian business in France. Many banks have opened their offices here. We have financial partnerships.
“Apart from this economic partnership which makes France a long-term partner with you, we also want to partner with you on food security and the extraction of your minerals and be a partner of your defense strategy,”
Analysts have surgery sed that the Nigeria s President visit could be strategic, towards restoring French government’s relevance in the Sahel region.
About The Author
