ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has met billionaire businessman Femi Otedola at a private dinner in Paris, France, amid the President’s extended stay in Europe.
Otedola disclosed the meeting in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, sharing a photograph of himself with Tinubu and commending the administration’s economic 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.
The businessman cited what he described as gains from the administration’s economic policies, including the inclusion of Nigerian companies in the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index, developments on the Nigerian Exchange and increased foreign direct investment.
Otedola also pointed to what he described as a more unified foreign exchange market and strong foreign reserves, which he said stood at about $55 billion.
“I remain proud of you, Mr. President!” he added.
The meeting comes as Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe continues to attract public attention, particularly following his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, where he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on September 17. The Presidency said the engagement reflected the longstanding Nigeria-France relationship and a commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The President’s stay was subsequently extended by several days. Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the UN General Assembly, where he delivered the country’s national statement.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu’s absence from the UN gathering would not affect Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its engagement in African and international affairs.
Otedola’s meeting with the President comes against the backdrop of his public comments on the administration’s economic direction, particularly its foreign exchange, investment and financial-market policies.
