Tinubu, Rwandan President Meet in Paris

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a private lunch meeting in Paris on Sunday, where they exchanged views on global developments and ways to advance Africa’s shared interests.

The Presidency revealed the meeting through a photo release showing both leaders in discussion at a Paris restaurant.

According to the statement, the meeting focused on world affairs and Africa’s development agenda.

The meeting took place days after Tinubu travelled to Europe as part of his end-of-year break.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier confirmed the trip, explaining that it precedes the President’s participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit scheduled for early January 2026.

Tinubu was invited to the summit by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The annual forum brings together global leaders to shape policies on sustainable development.

The Paris meeting shows the growing diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Rwanda since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. 

Kagame attended Tinubu’s inauguration in Abuja and has since held several meetings with him.

The two leaders last met in Abu Dhabi in January 2025, where Tinubu stressed the need for Africans to harness the continent’s resources through stronger intra-African trade and cooperation.

Nigeria and Rwanda have maintained longstanding diplomatic relations dating back to Rwanda’s independence in 1962, working closely within multilateral bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations.

Bilateral cooperation has expanded in recent years through agreements, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, which enables regular RwandAir flights to Abuja and Lagos, and the Technical Aids Corps programme that deploys Nigerian professionals to Rwanda.