Connect with us

News

What is in France? Unpacking Tinubu’s many trips

Published

on

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has made France a frequent destination, sparking curiosity and debate among Nigerians.

With at least eight visits to the European nation since March 2023, including seven as president, the question on many lips is: What is in France?

The Presidency on Thursday announced a 10-day working vacation starting today, September 4, 2025.

Tinubu’s trips to Paris, which range from diplomatic meetings to rumoured medical vacations, raise unanswered questions.

As for why Tinubu frequently visits France, several factors emerge from available information:

Diplomatic and Economic Ties

Tinubu’s visits often focus on strengthening Nigeria-France relations. Nigeria is France’s top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with bilateral trade worth over $5 billion in 2023.

His state visit in November 2024, the first by a Nigerian leader in 24 years, aimed to boost investment in sectors like agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

Strategic Meetings

Tinubu has utilised France as a base for important meetings. For example, his travel in April 2025 was called a “working visit” to review how his administration was doing in the middle of its term and prepare changes. He also reportedly used Paris as a meeting place for business and financial executives. Tinubu also met French President Emmanuel Macron during several visits, including in February 2025, before an African Union summit.

Medical Speculation

There is a lot of speculation, notably from critics, that Tinubu’s many trips may be for medical reasons. Several “private visits” (such in January 2024, August 2024, and February 2025) are thought to contain medical components, although they were officially described as diplomatic or personal.

The Presidency recently denied rumours that Tinubu is ill and is getting ready to be sent abroad for medical care. The Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, AbdulAziz AbdulAziz, told BBC Hausa that the Nigerian Institute for Investigative Journalism’s claims that the President was bedridden were false.

France’s African Strategy

France’s power in its old colonies (such Mali and Niger) because of competition from China and Russia is declining. Tinubu’s travels fit with France’s desire for economic ties, as French businesses like Danone and TotalEnergies are already doing business in Nigeria.

Personal Affinity

Tinubu apparently has a long-standing affection for France, visiting even before his presidency. By April 2025, he had spent at least 59 days in France during eight trips since assuming office in May 2023, more than any other country.

Tinubu’s trips show that Nigeria wants to be a player in the world arena, but the lack of openness behind some of them raises questions.  As the president keeps flying to Paris, the question is still: What is in France?

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

PHOTOS: Igbo Community in Osun Storms Streets for Egungun Festival

Published

on

The Igbo community in Osun State on Saturday held its annual Egungun Festival, drawing thousands of participants and spectators across the state.

The colourful celebration saw various masquerades (Egungun) accompanied by large crowds of Igbo residents who trooped to major streets in Osogbo in jubilation.

The main venue of the festival was the Freedom Park in Osogbo, which hosted cultural displays, music, and traditional performances.

AMILOADED correspondent who visited the venue observed a heavy security presence, with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of Amotekun Corps providing orderliness.

The festival attracted not only members of the Igbo community but also indigenes and residents of Osun, who watched the cultural display with excitement.

The streets of Osogbo were filled with festive activities as masquerades entertained onlookers, whiledancers thrilled the gathering with traditional rhythms.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Nollywood Actor Ibrahim Chatta Loses Son

Published

on

Popular Nollywood actor, Ibrahim Chatta, is grieving the loss of his son.

The 54-year-old actor shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram page on Saturday, though he did not disclose details surrounding the boy’s death.

Posting a photo of his late son, Chatta wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on, Dear son, champ.”

The tragic announcement drew an outpouring of condolences from colleagues and fans, who filled the comment section with words of comfort and prayers for the bereaved family.

This came just days after the Nollywood community was hit by another loss, following the death of veteran actress Peju Ogunmola’s only son, Ayomikun, who passed away in Ibadan earlier this week.

The back-to-back tragedies have thrown Nollywood into mourning, with many describing the moment as one of the darkest in recent memory.

Chatta had previously opened up about the pain of losing a child. In June, he recounted how financial hardship and poor access to healthcare led to the death of his first child, a daughter.

According to him, he could not afford a proper coffin at the time and was forced to bury her in an old wooden Coca-Cola crate.

The actor’s latest loss has once again drawn attention to the personal struggles behind the glitz of Nollywood, while fans and colleagues continued to rally around him in solidarity.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Defence headquarters warns former soldiers against protests

Published

on

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned discharged soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance over the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to desist, describing the demonstrations as illegal.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, issued the warning on Friday, September 5, saying the protests were obstructing official activities at the ministry and would no longer be tolerated.

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to trade with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted,” Kangye stated.

He clarified that neither the government nor the DHQ owed retired soldiers any SDA, explaining that payments were being made in line with applicable wage charts. “Gratuity and SDA are calculated based on the salary chart effective on a soldier’s date of retirement,” he said.

Kangye noted that those who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, fell under the pre-minimum wage chart, while retirees from July 29, 2024, onward were placed under the minimum wage chart following the implementation of the new wage structure.

“Unfortunately, soldiers who retired before the implementation date have insisted their benefits should be calculated with the new minimum wage chart, which is not possible. Government policies have effective dates of implementation and this case cannot be an exception,” Kangye stressed.

He urged the ex-soldiers to respect laid-down processes and desist from further illegal demonstrations.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending