President Bola Tinubu expressed his gratitude to France for the return of $150 million stolen from Nigeria by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha during a meeting with the French Presidential envoy in Abuja.
In addition to the recovery of this Abacha loot, a €100 million agreement was signed between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE program, a Federal Government initiative aimed at promoting investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Creative Arts Industries.
The agreement was signed by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs. President Tinubu praised the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, citing his earlier visit to Paris.
He also emphasized the need for increased collaboration in areas of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture. Regarding the situation in Niger Republic, President Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, stressed the importance of managing the situation diplomatically to avoid bloodshed.
He assured that Nigeria would continue to work with international partners to find a peaceful resolution. The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed President Emmanuel Macron’s goodwill and extended an invitation to President Bola Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum.
She also commended the repatriation of the Abacha loot, highlighting the completion of legal processes and expressing support for President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS and the promotion of constitutional order and democracy.
