President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defence during a high-profile meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des L’Élysée.
 
At a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and beckoned international investors to capitalise on the nation’s welcoming investment climate. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising education for Nigerian children.  

“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’s country,” he urged.
 
Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to boost food security. He said the country’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) that would directly impact the livelihood of the citizens.
 
The President implored the French government to extend to Nigeria trainings that would develop the youthful population. On security, he noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism. 
 
Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potentials in fishery. President Macron acknowledged Tinubu’s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, particularly emphasising collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.
 
The French leader observed that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.  
 
He had earlier assured that he would encourage more investments in the solid minerals sector, with the signing of an agreement, during a political meeting where the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made a presentation on the potentials.