Tinubu Hosts Otedola At Private Dinner In Paris

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has hosted billionaire businessman Femi Otedola at a private dinner in Paris, France.

Otedola disclosed the meeting in a post on X on Tuesday, sharing a photograph of himself with the President. He praised Tinubu’s economic policies and highlighted what he described as gains from the administration’s reforms.

“At a private dinner in Paris yesterday evening with His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose bold and forward-thinking reforms have put our economy firmly on a path of sustainable growth,” Otedola wrote.

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He cited the inclusion of major Nigerian companies in the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index and the Nigerian Exchange’s performance.

Otedola also pointed to increased foreign direct investment and what he described as renewed confidence in the Nigerian economy.

He further highlighted a “unified and more stable foreign exchange market” and foreign reserves, which he said were “standing strong at about $55 billion”.

“I remain proud of you, Mr. President!” Otedola added.

The meeting comes as attention remains on Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation.

He later travelled to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

Femi Otedola and President Bola Tinubu. Credit: X.

On September 21, the Presidency announced that Tinubu’s stay had been extended by “a few days” and said he would return at the weekend.

However, the schedule was later adjusted again.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed on September 27 that Tinubu would return on Tuesday, September 29.

The President is expected to land in Lagos before Nigeria’s Independence Day events on October 1.

Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad and absence from the UN General Assembly have drawn criticism from opposition groups and some Nigerians.

Femi Otedola and Bola Tinubu

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party criticised the extension of the President’s vacation and his decision not to attend the UN gathering.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council also called for an explanation over his continued absence.

The 81st UN General Assembly marked Tinubu’s third consecutive absence from the annual meeting.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria and delivered the country’s national statement at the gathering.

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu’s absence would not affect Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.

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Deborah Akwa

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