French President Emmanuel Macron is officially scheduled to embark on a high-profile state visit to Nigeria this fall.
The landmark announcement was made by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, during France’s National Day (Bastille Day) celebrations in Abuja.
While Fonbaustier did not state an exact month for Macron’s visit, in the Northern Hemisphere, where Nigeria and France are both located, fall officially begins in September and ends in December.
This upcoming state visit to Nigeria by Macron is said to represent a significant milestone in Franco-Nigerian relations, reciprocating the state visit paid by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Paris.
The upcoming diplomatic mission is designed to assess, solidify, and expand the bilateral roadmap established between Paris and Abuja.
According to Ambassador Fonbaustier, the agenda will focus heavily on economic expansion, regional security, and cultural exchange.
The envoy said Macron’s trip would allow both countries to review their growing strategic partnership since President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024.
“I am pleased and honoured to announce that, two years after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, the president of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nigeria for another state visit this fall,” Fonbaustier said.
“Together, our two presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples.”
Fonbaustier said the “new relationship between Africa and France was, in some way, born in Nigeria or ‘Made in Nigeria’. Because a young man, Emmanuel Macron, spent six significant and formative months in this country while he was a student, 24 years ago”.
“He himself admits that this foundational experience inspired the broad outlines of his vision for the continent and his African diplomacy,” the envoy added.
The ambassador noted that Nigeria-France relations are built on equality and common interests, including agriculture, security, democracy and governance.
“It means avoiding prejudice, not imposing anything, and not interfering. On the contrary, it means listening to each other, communicating openly, and making decisions together,” he said of equality.
“I stand before you tonight to say that, together, Nigerians and French people, we fully respect the spirit and profound meaning of this word: equality. Our common interests are clearly stated and understood.”
On security, he said Nigeria and France shared a commitment to strategic autonomy and the global fight against terrorism.
“Our two countries have repeatedly demonstrated this, through their unfailing and resolute commitment to the global fight against terrorism,” he said.
He added that both countries were working together to support nations seeking to strengthen their capacity to combat terrorism.
“In the face of terrorism, which is affecting the entire region, Nigeria and France are working together to assist countries eager to strengthen their capabilities, to better combat this scourge that destroys lives, communities and ultimately, our core values,” he said.
The ambassador underlined that the region needs a strong Nigeria, with the West African nation also requiring a united and mobilised region to confront insecurity.
Macron last visited Nigeria as French president in July 2018. He met with then-President Muhammadu Buhari and toured the Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
In September 2025, Macron hosted President Bola Tinubu at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
