The 2026 France-Nigeria Business Forum, scheduled for subsequent Thursday, has been postponed after French President Emmanuel Macron cancelled his go to to Nigeria.
The France-Nigeria Business Council despatched an e mail notifying members of the postponement on Saturday morning.
The e mail, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, mentioned the programme was postponed till subsequent yr, together with Mr Macron’s state go to.
But it didn’t specify a brand new date. The council famous as a substitute that “a revised date and arrangement will be communicated” at a later time.
“We remorse to inform you that, following a joint choice by the Presidents of Nigeria and France to postpone the State Visit of H.E. Emmanuel Macron to Nigeria, the France-Nigeria Business Forum, scheduled for Thursday, 29 October 2026 in Lagos, has additionally been postponed.
“The State Visit is now expected to take place in 2027, and we will communicate the revised date and arrangements for the Forum as soon as they are confirmed,” the e-mail learn.
Mr Macron’s go to was central to this yr’s business forum, which sought to strengthen partnership between Nigerian and French companies.
His go to was additionally anticipated to be a part of the yr’s French Week actions, organised by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported completely that Mr Macron and President Bola Tinubu agreed to cancel the go to over considerations in regards to the ongoing protests in France, Nigeria’s upcoming presidential election, and the brand new Ebola case.
This paper gathered that Mr Macron feared {that a} trip to Nigeria amid the continuing demonstrations throughout France could possibly be seen as insensitive and irresponsible.
Mr Tinubu additionally reportedly expressed concern that Mr Macron’s go to, about three months earlier than the Nigerian presidential election, may invite accusations of overseas affect.
There had been additionally considerations in regards to the lately confirmed Ebola case within the nation.
Mr Macron’s go to was supposed to reciprocate Mr Tinubu’s three-day state go to to France in 2024, which centered on “strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations.”
In July, French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, had mentioned the 2 leaders “will assess the progress and outline the key elements” of future relations throughout his go to.
He additionally famous that the go to would enable each international locations to overview their rising strategic partnership and chart a brand new course for future cooperation.
“These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples,” he mentioned.
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