French President Emmanuel Macron hosted President Bola Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris, with both leaders reaffirming the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France.

The meeting took place on Thursday night as Tinubu continues the second leg of his three-week annual leave in Europe. The Presidency confirmed the engagement in a statement on Friday.

Tinubu disclosed the dinner in a post on his official X account, describing the meeting with Macron as a pleasure.

According to the President, their conversation reaffirmed the friendship between Nigeria and France and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“Our conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France, as well as our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations.”

Tinubu also thanked Macron for his hospitality and friendship.

The President arrived in Paris on September 13 after spending the first part of his European leave in London.

The Presidency said the private dinner reflected the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France and the two countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The engagement comes a day after an international arbitration tribunal under the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris ruled in favour of Nigeria in disputes linked to the Mambilla hydropower project, rejecting claims totalling $3.38 billion.