By Chioma Favour
France has deepened its strategic partnership with Nigeria, rolling out major sustainable development initiatives including the inauguration of the €410 million Omi Eko Project in Lagos, a flagship effort aimed at decarbonizing water transport and promoting eco-friendly urban mobility.
During an official visit to Abuja and Lagos, the French envoy described Nigeria and France as “two privileged partners bound by mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a commitment to strategic autonomy and multilateral cooperation.”
The visit builds on the momentum of President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 visit to Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent trip to France, both of which have reinforced bilateral cooperation across economic, cultural, and technological sectors.
The Omi Eko Project will introduce 75 electric-powered boats across 15 routes spanning 140 kilometres, targeting the movement of 100,000 passengers daily while cutting 41,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The envoy said the initiative underscores France’s long-term vision for sustainable urban development across Africa.
France also spotlighted its commitment to educational and cultural exchange with the ongoing renovation of Lycée Pasteur, one of two French secondary schools in Nigeria a project symbolising its investment in human capital and cultural diplomacy.
The envoy hailed Nigeria’s growing influence as both a creative powerhouse and economic leader, referencing the upcoming second edition of the Création Africa Forum in Lagos. The first edition of the event drew more than 1,000 participants from 42 countries, underlining the strength of Nigeria’s creative industries.
Reaffirming France’s diplomatic support for Nigeria’s leadership role on the continent and beyond, the envoy echoed calls for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, while commending Nigeria’s consistent advocacy for international peace, the Treaty on the High Seas, and the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Describing Nigeria as “a continent-sized nation and Africa’s most populous country,” the envoy revealed that over 100 French companies are currently operating in Nigeria, with plans to expand partnerships in trade, energy, and technology.
Cultural relations were also in the spotlight, with France recently hosting a major exhibition honouring Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, described by the envoy as “a celebration of our shared creative vitality.”
Concluding the visit, the French representative expressed optimism about the trajectory of bilateral relations, stating that “France and Nigeria can achieve great things together,” ahead of the Africa Forward Summit scheduled to hold in Nairobi next year.
