Aig-Imoukhuede advocates stronger Nigeria-France economic collaboration
Onome Amuge
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, president of the France-Nigeria Business Council (FNBC) and chairman of Access Holdings Plc, has hailed the deepening ties between Nigeria and France, drawing attention to the growing bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Aig-Imoukhuede emphasised the transformational steps taken by French President Emmanuel Macron, which have been instrumental in fostering bilateral partnerships and fostering closer economic ties between Nigeria and France.
Aig-Imoukhuede made the remarks at the recent inauguration of Zenith Bank’s operations in Paris, which he attended as the leader of African banks and Nigerian businesses in France. The launch, which was also graced by other bank chief executives and captains of industry, marked a turning point in Nigeria-France relations.
The FNBC president commended President Macron’s commitment and vision, which had facilitated Nigerian banks to establish a solid presence in France within only six years, a feat that took the UK over half a century to accomplish.
Aig-Imoukhuede recognised this milestone as an embodiment of France’s dedication to establishing a strong economic and cultural partnership with Nigeria, building on the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.
“Over 13 years ago, Jim Ovia, then CEO and now chairman of Zenith Bank, set the pace for Access Bank to open in the UK. Today, Access Bank has set the pace for Zenith Bank to open in France,” he said.
The event, which coincided with President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France, saw business leaders from Nigeria and France congregate in Paris under the banner of the FranceNigeria Business Council.
The high-level gathering was a paragon of the growing bilateral relationship between the two nations, bringing together the crème de la crème of corporate titans from both countries.
Among the Nigerian attendees were notable figures such as Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Industries, Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO of Access Bank, amongst others.
French industry trailblazers such as Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of Total Energies, and Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, were also in attendance, rubbing shoulders with their Nigerian counterparts to forge new economic and cultural collaborations.
Aig-Imoukhuede, in his capacity as president of the France-Nigeria Business Council, affirmed the Council’s mission as a catalyst, igniting fruitful collaborations that leverage Nigeria’s entrepreneurial zeal and France’s industrial prowess.
In his remarks, Aig-Imoukhuede pledged that the Council will continue to act as a crucial bridge, forging bonds and partnerships in crucial sectors like energy, technology, and sustainable development.
Reinforcing his message, Aig-Imoukhuede counseled France to act swiftly and decisively, imploring the European nation to not overlook this golden chance to engage with Nigeria as it ascends the global economic ladder.