French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday night.
The meeting came as Tinubu continues his stay in France during his ongoing European vacation.
The Presidency disclosed the private engagement on Friday, with the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, confirming that Macron received Tinubu for dinner at the French presidential palace.
“French President @EmmanuelMacron hosted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a private dinner last night at the Élysée Palace,” Olusegun stated in a post on X.
The State House also confirmed the meeting, describing it as a reflection of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France and the two countries’ shared interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Tinubu, Macron maintain diplomatic ties
The latest meeting adds to the diplomatic engagements between Tinubu and Macron, who have maintained contacts on issues concerning cooperation between Nigeria and France.
In March, Tinubu said he had discussed security support and equipment with Macron, highlighting the cooperation between both countries on efforts to address insecurity in Nigeria.
The two leaders have also engaged on broader African and economic issues, including at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi earlier in 2026, which Macron co-hosted with Kenyan President William Ruto.
However, details of Thursday’s private dinner were not publicly disclosed.
Tinubu in France after London stop
Tinubu had travelled to Europe as part of a three-week annual leave.
He departed Abuja on August 30, 2026, with London as his first destination before continuing to Paris for the next phase of his holiday.
The President was received in France by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ayodele Oke, according to the report supplied by the Presidency.
His stay in France has now included the private engagement with Macron at the Élysée Palace.
Presidency highlights Nigeria-France relationship
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the meeting reflected the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France and the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
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The engagement comes against the backdrop of several areas of interaction between Abuja and Paris, with both countries maintaining diplomatic and economic ties.
While no specific agreements or decisions from the private dinner were announced, the meeting underscores the continued contact between the Nigerian and French presidents.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his three-week holiday in Europe.