President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday wrap up his historic two-day state visit to France.
He was accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ministers, governors, state officials and some captains of industry on the trip.
The Nigerian President was hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron and wife, Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron.
The visit among other things underscored efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and France, with a particular focus on boosting ties in English-speaking Africa.
Tinubu had visited France at different times since he assumed office, however, most of the trips have been private.
The historic visit to France, which commenced on Thursday, marked a Nigerian leader’s first official state visit to the country in over two decades.
This time, Tinubu used the visit to deepen both economic and diplomatic ties of both countries focusing on key areas such as agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation, and energy transition, while also seeking a “renewal” between Paris and the African continent.
While the visit lasted, President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, participated in a series of high-profile events and engagements.
Both presidents also attended a session of the France-Nigeria Business Council, a platform for private-sector collaboration in economic development.
There was also the signing of a €300m which according to his Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, would be focusing on critical sectors and sustain long-term agriculture and food security.
The agreements were signed during an economic forum at the Palais des Élysée, with business leaders, industry captains, state governors, and top officials from both countries in attendance.
During the event, United Bank for Africa Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, and French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Antoine Armand, signed an agreement to enable UBA to begin operations in Paris. Similarly, Zenith Bank launched its services in France.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, made further disclosure on the developments in a statement titled ‘Nigeria, France Sign Letters of Intent on Critical Infrastructure as Zenith Bank Opens Paris Branch.’
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, and Mr Armand signed a Letter of Intent reaffirming commitments to investments in critical sectors, including healthcare, transportation, agriculture, renewable energy, and human capital development. The financial and technical assistance package is worth over €300m and will be distributed across all of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The French leader, Macron, had sought to renew France’s relationship with Africa since his 2017 election.
On his social media, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to Macron, emphasizing the rich history of collaboration between Nigeria and France and his eagerness to explore new areas for mutual benefit.