President Bola Tinubu emphasised on Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic relations with France, China, and Denmark should lead to shared economic gains for citizens, especially in vital sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
During a ceremony at the State House to receive Letters of Credence from the French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier, Danish Ambassador Jens Ole Bach Hansen, and Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai, Tinubu committed to enhancing economic diplomacy.
With an upcoming state visit to France, Tinubu highlighted his close ties with President Emmanuel Macron and expressed that the positive relationship between Nigeria and France should tangibly benefit their citizens.
In a statement from his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu called for France’s support for Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening institutions and improving citizens’ quality of life.
“Macron has been a good friend over many years, and I am looking forward to the State Visit in Paris to solidify our relationship, and ensure that our citizens also share in the gains of diplomacy between both countries.
“I am happy you are not a stranger in Africa from your background. Nigeria is the biggest country on the continent, and the headquarters of ECOWAS is based here. We have an open-door policy, and we want your investors to take advantage of it.
“Our collaboration is essential for Africa, ECOWAS and Nigeria. You can always get in touch through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Chief of Staff to the President,’’ the President added.
The French Ambassador praised the warmth, hospitality, and rich diversity of Nigerian culture, expressing a strong commitment to strengthening the partnership for shared economic prosperity.
During a separate meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, President Tinubu conveyed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping for the warm reception during his recent state visit to Beijing and for the opportunity to participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
He encouraged the ambassador to collaborate closely with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the agreements signed are fully implemented.
“I enjoyed my visit to China and am particularly eager to see our agreements activated, especially those focused on trade and economic growth for both countries,” the President stated, adding that Nigeria aims to leverage China’s experience, particularly in trade and infrastructure development.
The Chinese Ambassador, in turn, expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s attendance at the September visit, acknowledging it as a step forward in deepening the relationship between the two nations.
“Your visit was a great success and your presence resonated very well. It was a milestone in our bilateral relations. It was important for both countries to agree to elevate our bilateral relations. We will continue to explore development paths to suit Nigeria, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have enjoyed more than half a century of relations. We have respect for each other and treat each other with equity, and our relations have grown from strength to strength, particularly in economics and trade,’’ the Chinese ambassador said.
Yu mentioned that he has already initiated several programs across various states aimed at improving rice and yam yields, providing mobile medical outreach to underserved communities, and establishing educational exchange programs to enhance vocational and technical skills nationwide.
President Tinubu welcomed the Danish Ambassador, expressing optimism for stronger bilateral relations.
“Denmark is known for promoting democratic values and human rights, and we are ready to collaborate with you. We’ve observed Denmark’s leadership in the energy sector, both domestically and globally, and would like to benefit from that expertise.
“We are particularly interested in education, healthcare, and other areas that directly affect the livelihoods of our citizens. We’ve also seen the success of the APM terminal in Lagos, which is a Danish company. Nigeria is open for business, and we are committed to promoting that,” the President stated.
The Danish ambassador shared that Denmark has developed a new strategy to enhance its relations with Africa, with Nigeria positioned as a central partner in this vision due to its size and influence on the continent.
