President Bola Tinubu, in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Élysée on Thursday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education for Nigerian children.
He emphasized plans to tackle the rising number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-school initiatives and skills development programs.
In a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the government’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive framework aimed at ensuring school-age children return to classrooms.
He also emphasized the importance of motivation and skill acquisition as part of this initiative.
“In order to bridge the gap for some who are of age and have been out-of-school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” President Tinubu stated.
Accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President conveyed to President Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron that Nigeria’s development potential is rooted in an educated population.
“The insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, but we are gradually re-populating the classrooms. And we need skills development to bridge the gaps,” President Tinubu remarked.
Addressing security concerns, President Tinubu highlighted the progress made in improving security across Nigeria through strategic measures aimed at peace-building.
“With some more efforts, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had very good harvests this year. And as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” he added.
In response, President Macron recognized Nigeria’s significant growth potential and the critical role of investing in education. He recalled his experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, which included visits to Lagos and Kano States.
Both Presidents Tinubu and Macron agreed on strengthening bilateral relations, with President Tinubu reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to cooperation in areas such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense.
At a joint press conference, President Tinubu emphasized the untapped potential in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and urged international investors to capitalize on the country’s favorable investment environment.
“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country,” President Tinubu stated. He also highlighted Nigeria’s growing financial sector as a key facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French companies, in the agricultural sector.
“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security,” he said.
He reassured investors that Nigeria is open for business, noting the vibrant youth population, ready to be trained in various fields of entrepreneurship and development.
“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” President Tinubu added.
In a call for more international support, President Tinubu urged the French government to extend training programs that would equip Nigeria’s youth with the skills needed for the future. He also stressed the need to “de-risk” investment opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, citing the country’s untapped potential.
“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century no child should go to bed hungry,” President Tinubu told the French delegation. He added, “If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us.”
On security, President Tinubu emphasized the need for collective efforts to combat terrorism, highlighting Nigeria’s readiness to partner with France in addressing the challenges of migration.
“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” President Tinubu noted.
Additionally, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s blue economy as a significant investment opportunity, especially in the fisheries sector. He mentioned the country’s strides in managing the Atlantic Ocean, signaling the importance of fisheries in the national economy.
“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out,” President Tinubu stated.
President Macron, acknowledging the significance of President Tinubu’s visit, described it as a step toward a deeper partnership between France and Nigeria. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to address global challenges.
“We have confidence that you, Mr. President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role,” President Macron said.
Earlier in the day, President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu were welcomed with full honors at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée by President Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron.
