Macron, Tinubu postpone French President’s visit to Nigeria until 2027
French President Emmanuel Macron and President Bola Tinubu have agreed to postpone Macron’s planned state visit to Nigeria until 2027, amid growing unrest and political tensions in France.
The visit, initially scheduled for October 28 and 29, was expected to strengthen ties between both countries and deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and solid minerals. According to a news sources, citing a French presidential source, Macron has also postponed his planned visit to Senegal.
The decision comes as France grapples with violent protests that erupted on October 17, with clashes, looting and vandalism reported in several cities. The unrest has raised concerns about public security and the government’s ability to maintain order.
On Thursday, Macron threatened to ban what he described as “illegitimate” protests, blaming ultra-left groups and vandals for the violence. Speaking after a meeting with intelligence chiefs and senior ministers, he said trade union demonstrations would be allowed but could be rerouted to protect businesses.
Authorities in Marseille and Lyon, France’s second- and third-largest cities, banned protests planned for Saturday as security agencies prepared for further demonstrations. France’s main student union, UNEF, had called for rallies, while the Yellow Vest movement planned a march through central Paris.
Beyond the violence, the protests reflect growing public frustration over rising energy costs, pressure on household budgets and concerns about declining public services. The crisis has also unsettled financial markets, with France’s 10-year government bond yield reaching 5.14 per cent on Thursday, its highest level since July 2002, Reuters reported.
Although the French presidential source did not directly link the postponement to the unrest, the decision comes as Macron faces mounting domestic challenges. No specific date has been announced for the rescheduled visit in 2027.
Tinubu has visited France several times since his state visit in November 2024. He travelled to the country in May 2026 as part of a three-nation trip that included participation in the Africa-France Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. He also visited London and Paris during his annual leave in August and September 2026, arriving in Paris around September 13.
