President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to embark on a 4-day official visit to France, beginning today, to attend the African Finance Summit and also meet with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, over security.
This was revealed in an official press statement issued by the Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, yesterday.
According to the statement, the Summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders in the global financial institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.
During the visit, President Buhari is also expected to discuss growing security threats in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking the spread of Covid-19, with more research and vaccines.
Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, the European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.
The President will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.
Also accompanying the President on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar.
