Macron Cancels Nigeria Visit Amid Protests and Concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron has called off his visit to Nigeria, according to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Macron was set to travel on Wednesday, 28 October. He cancelled due to worries about the protests in France, Nigeria's upcoming presidential election, and a new Ebola case.

Nigerian sources familiar with the planned visit told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Macron and President Bola Tinubu agreed to cancel the trip on Thursday.

Mr Macron felt that visiting Nigeria while protests were ongoing in France could come off as insensitive. The protests, which started in September, have resulted in over 900 school closures, looting, and clashes between protesters and security forces.

President Tinubu also showed concern that Mr Macron's visit, just three months ahead of Nigeria's presidential election, could lead to claims of foreign interference.

Mr Tinubu is running for reelection in a country where many citizens are upset with his administration. Key issues include the high cost of living, inflation, rising fuel prices, unemployment, and insecurity.

His relationship with France has faced criticism. During Mr Tinubu's last trip to Paris, he was publicly condemned for missing the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while extending his "working vacation."

There were also worries about the recent Ebola case confirmed in Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the French Embassy press office about the cancellation, but they did not provide a comment.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olufemi Adeniyi, also said the ministry had not received any information about Mr Macron's cancelled visit.

"We don’t have that information about this. If there’s an official update in that regard, we’ll put it out," he stated.

France has been a key partner for Mr Tinubu since he took office in 2025. The country is also one of Nigeria’s closest allies.

Mr Macron's planned visit was part of this year’s French Week, organized by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He was supposed to be joined by a group of French businesspeople who would meet with their Nigerian counterparts.

This trip was also meant to reciprocate Mr Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France in 2024, which focused on strengthening ties in politics, economy, and culture.