Nigeria and France have reaffirmed their longstanding diplomatic relationship, pledging to deepen cooperation in key areas including trade, security, education, and cultural exchange. This commitment was the focus of a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier.
Since establishing diplomatic ties on October 1, 1960, Nigeria and France have maintained strong partnerships in counter-terrorism, commerce, and cultural initiatives. Today, Nigeria stands as France’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and a major supplier of hydrocarbons globally.
Commending the cordial relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron, Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the personal rapport between the two leaders had helped fast-track bilateral agreements. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to operationalise agreements signed during President Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024, covering energy, infrastructure, and education.
The minister urged France to encourage its investors to engage with Nigeria’s emerging markets, citing the recent expansion of Nigerian banks—Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and UBA—into the French financial sector as a positive example. She assured Ambassador Fonbaustier of Nigeria’s commitment to creating a stable and investor-friendly business environment, supported by fiscal reforms, transparency measures, and a secure investment climate.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also praised France’s assistance in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in intelligence-sharing and defence collaboration. She highlighted ongoing military operations and socio-economic rehabilitation programmes in the North-East aimed at combating insurgency and rebuilding affected communities.
“We value France’s consistent support and look forward to deepening strategic cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” the minister stated.
On the cultural front, the French envoy announced plans for a landmark exhibition in Lagos in October 2025, honouring Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Additionally, Lagos will host the Forum Creation Africa from October 16 to 18, 2025, a collaborative event featuring over 800 participants from both nations in concerts, fashion shows, and exhibitions.
Ambassador Fonbaustier acknowledged the economic reforms undertaken by President Tinubu, including the unification of Nigeria’s forex market and removal of fuel subsidies, describing them as opportunities for fresh investments in sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, ICT, and the creative industry.
While addressing the perception of Nigeria in French media, the envoy pledged to help reshape narratives and showcase Nigeria’s business potential and reform initiatives. He also extended an invitation to Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu to attend France’s National Day celebrations on July 14.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening educational cooperation, with Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighting a pending agreement between Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Campus France to promote student exchanges.
She concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s position as a reliable regional partner, particularly in promoting peace, trade, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
