By Sabiu Abdullahi
French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his planned state visit to Nigeria, which was scheduled for October 28 and 29, amid widespread protests and unrest in France.
A French presidential source confirmed the postponement to TheCable on Friday, citing the domestic situation in France.
The country has recently experienced demonstrations over the rising cost of living, public services and school conditions. Protests on October 17 reportedly escalated into violence in several cities, with buildings set ablaze and shops looted.
French authorities are also preparing for another wave of demonstrations scheduled for Saturday.
A Nigerian official familiar with the matter told TheCable that the situation in France was a factor in the decision to postpone the visit.
“A president will not travel when his home is contending with internal combustion,” the official said.
Nigeria and France maintain diplomatic relations with cooperation across several sectors, including trade, energy, security and investment.
In November 2024, Macron hosted President Bola Tinubu for a three-day state visit to France. Discussions during the visit covered finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communications, among other areas.
Macron’s proposed visit to Nigeria was expected to build on agreements reached during Tinubu’s trip to France.
The French president, whose second and final term is due to end in May 2027, has maintained close relations with Tinubu since the Nigerian leader assumed office in 2023.
Tinubu has visited France at least nine times since becoming president, for official engagements, working vacations and private trips.
Macron last visited Nigeria in July 2018, when he met with former President Muhammadu Buhari and toured the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
A new date for the postponed visit was not stated in the report.
