French President Macron postpones Nigeria visit scheduled for October 28

French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his planned state visit to Nigeria amid protests and unrest in France.

Macron had been expected in Nigeria on October 28 and 29. A French presidential spokesperson said on Friday, October 23, that the visit had been postponed as authorities responded to domestic tensions. A Nigerian official familiar with the arrangements also cited the situation in France as a factor.

France has recently experienced demonstrations over living costs, public services and school conditions. According to the report, protests on October 17 escalated into violence in several cities, with buildings set alight and shops looted. Authorities were preparing for another round of demonstrations on Saturday, October 24.

The planned visit was expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build on agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France in November 2024. During that three-day visit, the two presidents discussed finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade, investment and communications. Nigeria and France maintain diplomatic and economic ties spanning energy, security, trade and investment.

Tinubu has visited France at least nine times since assuming office in 2023, for official engagements, working vacations and private trips. Macron last visited Nigeria as president in July 2018, when he met then-President Muhammadu Buhari and toured the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos. The report did not provide a replacement date for the postponed visit.