Macron Hosts Tinubu to Private Dinner in Paris, Reaffirms Nigeria-France Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted President Bola Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The meeting was disclosed on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared photographs from the dinner.

Tinubu later described the engagement as a pleasure and said his conversation with Macron reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France.

He said both countries remained committed to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership.

The Nigerian President also thanked Macron for his hospitality and friendship following the private engagement.

The dinner took place during Tinubu’s three-week working vacation in Europe. The President left Nigeria on August 30 and initially travelled to London before proceeding to Paris for the second phase of his leave.

Tinubu arrived in the French capital on Sunday and was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke.

The latest meeting highlights the continuing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and France, which has expanded significantly in recent years across economic, political and cultural areas.

France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs says bilateral relations have developed considerably since 2014, with high-level visits contributing to closer ties. Tinubu’s state visit to France in October 2024 was one of the notable engagements.

Economic relations are also significant. France identifies Nigeria as its leading trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa and says Nigeria accounted for 20 per cent of France’s trade with the region in 2023.

The two countries have maintained discussions around trade, investment, energy, security, education and cultural cooperation.

The private dinner provided an opportunity for the leaders to reinforce those broader ties, although details of specific agreements or new initiatives arising from the meeting were not immediately announced.

Tinubu’s engagement with Macron comes as the Nigerian President continues his European stay before returning to Abuja at the end of his leave.

The Presidency has described the trip as a working vacation, with Tinubu expected to continue official engagements while abroad.

The meeting also comes amid Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment as the government pursues economic reforms in Africa.