President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where the two leaders held a private dinner at the Élysée Palace.
The engagement, which took place on Thursday night, September 17, 2026, was disclosed on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, Macron received Tinubu at the French presidential palace for the private dinner, describing the engagement as a reflection of the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France.
Tinubu, in a statement shared on his official social media account, said the conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
“I thank President Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” the Nigerian President said.
What was discussed?
Details of the private conversation between the two presidents have not been made public.
The Presidency, however, said the engagement centred on the continued strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between Nigeria and France.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of expanding economic relations between both countries. At the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council meeting in May 2026, the Nigerian government said bilateral trade had reached $4.7 billion in 2025, while describing France as an important source of investment for Nigeria.
Tinubu’s European vacation
The meeting also took place while Tinubu is on a three-week annual leave in Europe.
The President departed Nigeria on August 30, initially spending time in London before proceeding to Paris on September 13 for the second phase of his European stay.
Although the dinner was private, the encounter provides another high-level contact between Abuja and Paris as both countries continue to pursue cooperation in areas including trade, investment, security and other bilateral interests.
For now, however, neither side has released a detailed communiqué outlining specific agreements or fresh commitments arising from the dinner.
