French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Nigeria this fall, French Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Marc Fonbaustier, has announced.
Fonbaustier made the disclosure on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while addressing guests at the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja, describing the visit as an opportunity for Nigeria and France to review the progress of their growing strategic partnership and outline new areas of cooperation.
The ambassador said Macron’s visit would come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris.
“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,” he said.
According to Fonbaustier, both leaders will assess the progress made under their bilateral roadmap and chart a new direction for relations between the two countries.
He described the Nigeria-France relationship as a partnership built on equality, stressing that both nations treat each other as equal partners.
The envoy said the principle of equality guides their diplomatic engagements through mutual respect, open communication and joint decision making without interference.
Fonbaustier noted that Nigeria and France share common goals, including economic growth, job creation, improved living standards and environmental protection.
He highlighted recent commercial partnerships involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, saying the collaborations reflect expanding economic ties between both countries.
The ambassador also commended the initiative by Nigerian businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris.
On democracy and governance, Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France remain committed to democratic values, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities for women and men.
He added that the French Embassy continues to support programmes aimed at empowering women, young people and persons with disabilities.
Speaking on agriculture, the envoy said the French Development Agency is partnering with Nigeria to strengthen food security and agricultural value chains, particularly in northern Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region.
On security, Fonbaustier said both countries are working together to support efforts to combat terrorism, noting that Nigeria and France share a commitment to strengthening the capabilities of countries affected by insecurity.
He stressed that regional stability requires a strong Nigeria, just as Nigeria needs a united and coordinated West African region to effectively confront security challenges.
The ambassador further described the France-Nigeria relationship as part of a broader strategic partnership between Europe and Africa aimed at promoting stability, the rule of law and global cooperation.
Fonbaustier also disclosed that Macron’s vision for Africa was partly shaped by the six months he spent in Nigeria as a student about 24 years ago, saying the experience influenced the French President’s approach to African diplomacy.
