Political

Welcome to the Official Site

of the

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Paris, France.

This site contains links to information about

Nigeria’s rich and diverse cultures, tourism, news and a host other sites which carry other useful information on the nation.

NIGERIA-FRANCE RELATIONS - POLITICAL

E-mail

Links

Nigeria Facts

The deepening relationship finds concrete expression in the level of economic relationship between Nigeria and France. Nigeria is the largest recipient of French exports and its second largest trading partner. France is Nigeria’s second largest foreign investor and Nigeria is the leading exporter of oil and related products to France. It is in recognition of this that President Nicholas Sarkozy pledged that Agence France de Développement would increase the line of credit available to Nigerian and French companies doing business in Nigeria.

The two countries also continue to cooperate in dealing with African issues both at the regional (West Africa) and continental (African Union) levels and have helped to achieve peace in the Mano River Union countries and other places. The same level of cooperation had been achieved in tackling issues of international peace and security through their cooperation at the United Nations Security Council.

The Political Department of the Embassy works to consolidate and expand the excellent bilateral political relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the French Republic through the various organs of our two Governments and people.

OFFICERS :
F. E. Awanbor (Minister)

Nigeria and France established diplomatic relations on 1st October, 1960, following Nigeria's independence. The establishment of diplomatic relations immediately after independence was evidence of the importance attached to France, given its historical relationship with Africa, and the leadership role Nigeria was destined to play on the continent. Since then, relations have been cordial.

The restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 opened a new vista in France-Nigeria relations, including exchange of high-level visits by leaders and officials of the two countries. The visit by President Jacques Chirac of France to Nigeria in July 1999, two months after the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, was the first by a foreign Head of State to Nigeria after the return to democratic rule. President Obasanjo returned the visit in February, 2000.

A new vista in bilateral relations was achieved in June 2008, when late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, GCFR, at the instance of President, Nicolas Sarkozy visited France. Relations between the two countries rose to the level of Strategic Partnership. The visit resulted in the endorsement of a Joint Communique on Strategic Partnership. The implementation of the
areas of cooperation detailed in the Joint Communique has already commenced, as evidenced through the two-way high level visit of several government and business delegations. These gains were consolidated when President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, visited France and had discussions with President Nicholas Sarkozy, on the side lines of the Africa-France Summit on 1st June 2010.