President Tinubu Heads to France on Private Visit, Set to Meet Macron

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Wednesday for a private visit to Paris, France, where he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to an official statement from the presidency.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed the trip, adding that after his engagements in France, the Nigerian leader will proceed to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12th to 16th, 2025,” Onanuga stated.

This marks Tinubu’s second visit to France in recent months, following a three-day state visit last November. That trip, which included a live band performance and the signing of multiple agreements, sparked debates over France’s intentions, especially after the Nigerian presidency revealed that the visit was at Macron’s invitation.

Adding to the diplomatic tension, shortly after Tinubu’s return from France last year, reports emerged suggesting that a French military base could be established in Nigeria’s northeast. The speculation intensified after Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Femi Oluyede, was reportedly seen receiving French soldiers.

See Also

Sanwo-Olu bags doctorate degree at Rome Business School

Further complicating matters, Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused France of negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilize his country—a claim swiftly dismissed by the Nigerian federal government.

France’s involvement in West Africa has been under scrutiny, particularly in the Sahel region, where Paris has faced backlash from former allies. President Macron, responding to criticisms from leaders in the region, recently lamented what he described as a lack of gratitude for France’s efforts in combating terrorism.