France-Nigeria ties predate Tinubu, says Ambassador
France-Nigeria relations date back to the 1990s, French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier told PREMIUM TIMES, contradicting the view that ties only deepened under President Tinubu. The ambassador stated France shifted focus from Francophone Africa to English-speaking countries like Nigeria during the administrations of Presidents Mitterrand and Chirac. Relations improved after Nigeria's 1999 return to civilian rule, with President Obasanjo's 2000 France visit opening renewed engagement. Despite historical tensions, France became a key Western partner, particularly after Boko Haram's rise. Recent visits by Tinubu, Buhari, and Macron show sustained cooperation on security and economics. The ambassador emphasized this predates France's strained Sahel relations and Nigeria's ECOWAS exit.