Tinubu’s France Visit To Focus On Strengthening Political And Economic Partnerships

President Bola Tinubu is on a three-day visit to France, starting Wednesday, following an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.

A statement from the president's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit will also focus on creating more opportunities for collaboration, especially in areas like agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, employment, innovation, and energy transition.

Tinubu, who will be accompanied by his wife Oluremi Tinubu, will be welcomed by President Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at the French military museum, Les Invalides, and the Palais de l'Élysée for the initial ceremonies.

During the visit, Tinubu and Macron will discuss ways to promote exchange programs that focus on skill development for young people and improving their abilities in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership.

Onanuga mentioned that both leaders will take part in political and diplomatic meetings, focusing on shared interests in finance, solid minerals, trade and investments and communication.

They will also attend a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which promotes private sector involvement in economic development.

The first ladies will reportedly discuss Oluremi's work regarding empowering women, children, and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). Earlier this month, Nigeria's first lady had launched the RHI Food Outreach in Ekiti State to distribute food items to vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, widows and special schools.

Before leaving, Tinubu and his wife will be hosted at a state dinner by the French president. The presidency confirmed that top government officials will accompany Tinubu on the trip.

Tinubu, earlier this year, reduced the entourage on foreign trips for the president, vice president and other top officials. The president instructed that local security agencies should be used for his protection whenever he travels to any state, instead of taking a high number of security officials from Abuja.

The president approved a massive cost-cutting exercise that will apply to the entire federal government, including the offices of the president, vice president and the first lady. However, he noted that the local trips include more people because they were comparatively less expensive.