Tinubu, Macron Strengthen Economic Ties at Nigerian-French Business Council

In a high-profile meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has affirmed his country’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense.

The joint press conference held at the Palais des L’Élysée on Thursday saw President Tinubu highlighting the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and beckoning international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.

“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another country,” President Tinubu stated, emphasizing the importance of food security for the continent.

Leveraging Nigeria’s Financial Sector for Investment

President Tinubu also emphasized Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.

“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security,” the Nigerian leader said.

Tinubu asserted that Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that would directly impact the livelihood of the citizens, stating, “I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development.”

Unlocking Opportunities in Solid Minerals and the Blue Economy

During the meeting, President Tinubu also highlighted the potential in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, urging the French government to help “de-risk the opportunities” in this area.

Furthermore, the Nigerian leader noted the untapped potential of the blue economy, particularly in the fisheries industry, stating, “In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.”

Collective Responsibility for Security and Development

On the issue of security, President Tinubu emphasized the need for collective responsibility in the fight against terrorism, stating, “Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration.”

The Nigerian President also touched on the importance of education and developing the country’s youthful population, stating, “If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us.”

Macron’s Pledge of Support and Shared Vision

In response, President Macron acknowledged President Tinubu’s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, particularly emphasizing collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.

“We have confidence that you, Mr. President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role,” Macron said, pledging France’s support for Nigeria’s development goals.

The French President further noted that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together, stating, “We will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.”

The meeting between the two leaders marks a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and France, with a focus on leveraging their combined resources and expertise to address pressing regional and global challenges.