Tinubu embarks on two-week working visit to Paris

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, departed for Paris, France, on Wednesday for a two-week working visit aimed at assessing his administration’s progress and strategizing for the future.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit will serve as a strategic retreat to evaluate midterm achievements and map out the administration’s direction as it approaches its second anniversary.

During his stay in Paris, President Tinubu will review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning to deepen national development priorities.

Onanuga highlighted that this period of reflection is essential for shaping policies that will accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and governance reforms.

“This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year,” Onanuga stated.

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He further emphasized that the President’s commitment to economic reforms is already evident in recent achievements, including a significant increase in Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves.

The Central Bank of Nigeria recently reported that reserves have surged to $23.11 billion, a remarkable improvement from $3.99 billion in 2023, a development attributed to the administration’s fiscal policies.

Despite being away, Tinubu will remain actively engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance remotely. Onanuga assured Nigerians that the President’s working visit will not disrupt government activities.

This marks President Tinubu’s second visit to Paris this year. In February, he made a private trip to France before proceeding to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Union (AU) Summit. During his stop in Paris, he held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, trade partnerships, and investment opportunities between Nigeria and France.

Just before his departure on Wednesday, President Tinubu approved the reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board. The restructuring saw the removal of Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure, Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, and all other board members appointed in November 2023.

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The President underscored that the restructuring is vital for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, and advancing key initiatives such as gas commercialization and economic diversification.

“The board’s restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialization and diversification,” Onanuga stated.

President Tinubu’s working visit to Paris reflects his administration’s continued focus on governance, economic reforms, and international collaboration. By leveraging this retreat to assess achievements and refine strategies, the President aims to ensure that Nigeria remains on a path of sustainable development.

The administration’s proactive approach to addressing domestic and international challenges underscores its commitment to fostering growth and stability.