By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday at the prestigious Palais des L’Élysée, told France’s President Emmanuel Macron that a starved nation would not care about the weather or the environment and that in the 21st Century, no child should go to bed hungry.
At a high-profile meeting with President Macron, Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defence.
At a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural sector’s vast yet largely untapped potential and beckoned international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying, “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 country.”
He emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.
“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in food security.
“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.
“We are working on stability, and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” the President stated.
*Seeks more investment in food security, solid minerals, and other sectors from France
Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more direct foreign investment, which would directly impact the citizens’ livelihoods.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this. We have a vibrant youth population that is educated and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.
The President implored the French government to extend to Nigeria training that would develop the youthful population.
“Furthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potential, and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” the President added.
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, had been preoccupied with tackling food security issues.
“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century, no child should go to bed hungry,” he told the French President and his delegation.
“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us,” President Tinubu said.
On security, the President noted a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.
“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France to have security operations that will stop the migration challenge,” he noted.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s blue economy also provides a massive opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in the fishery.
“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment. We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in and easy out,” the President noted.
Macron acknowledged President Tinubu’s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, emphasizing collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.
The French President noted that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.
“We have confidence that you, Mr President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role. I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.
“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy transforming your country’s economy. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said.
Macron had earlier assured that he would encourage more solid mineral investments. He signed. He signed an agreement during a political meeting during which the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, made a presentation on the potential.
Earlier, President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu were welcomed with full honours at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée by President Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron.
