By Peter Omopo
September 4, 2025
Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has made France one of his most frequent international destinations, fuelling speculation and debate among Nigerians about the purpose of his visits.
The Presidency on Thursday announced that Tinubu will embark on a 10-day working vacation in Paris beginning September 4, marking at least his eighth trip to the European country since March 2023 — seven of them as president.
While some trips have been officially linked to diplomatic and economic engagements, others, described as “private visits,” have sparked rumours of medical consultations, a claim repeatedly denied by the Presidency.
Diplomatic and Economic Ties
France remains one of Nigeria’s strongest trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing $5 billion in 2023. Tinubu’s state visit in November 2024, the first by a Nigerian leader in over two decades, focused on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
Strategic Meetings
Paris has also served as a strategic hub for high-level consultations. In April 2025, Tinubu undertook a “working visit” in which he reportedly reviewed his administration’s performance mid-term and held talks with global business leaders. He has also met French President Emmanuel Macron several times, including in February 2025, ahead of an African Union summit.
Health Speculation
Despite frequent speculation that the visits are health-related, officials insist the trips are legitimate. In February 2025, following rumours of ill health, the President’s aide AbdulAziz AbdulAziz dismissed reports that Tinubu was bedridden, calling them “false and malicious.”
France’s African Strategy
Analysts note that Tinubu’s repeated visits also align with France’s shifting African policy, as Paris seeks stronger economic ties in Nigeria amid declining influence in its former colonies. French firms such as TotalEnergies and Danone are already deeply invested in the country.
Personal Affinity
Tinubu’s ties to France predate his presidency, with sources suggesting he has a personal preference for Paris. By April 2025, he had spent at least 59 days in France across his eight trips in office — more than to any other country.
As Tinubu begins another stay in Paris, questions remain about the balance between diplomacy, personal preference, and transparency. For many Nigerians, the lingering puzzle is simple: What is in France?
