By Adedapo Adesanya

French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Nigeria later this year in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and security cooperation between the two countries as it seeks to reset its Africa strategy more towards Anglophone Africa.

French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Marc Fonbaustier, announced the proposed visit during the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja on Tuesday.

He described the visit as a major milestone in the growing relationship between Nigeria and France, adding that the trip is expected to take place anytime from late September to November. It would come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris.

Mr Fonbaustier said the meeting between the two leaders would provide an opportunity to assess the progress made under the existing bilateral roadmap and define new areas of collaboration that would deliver mutual benefits for citizens of both nations.

“I am pleased and honoured to announce that, two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nigeria for another state visit this fall,” the ambassador said.

“Together, our two Presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples.”

The French envoy said the partnership between Nigeria and France was built on mutual respect and equality, stressing that both countries engaged with each other as partners rather than through interference or imposition. According to him, both governments remain committed to open dialogue, joint decision-making and pursuing shared interests.

He noted that Nigeria and France were working together to promote economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards while protecting the environment, biodiversity and natural resources.

The envoy pointed to recent commercial partnerships involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, saying they reflected expanding economic ties between both countries.

Mr Fonbaustier also praised the initiative spearheaded by Nigerian businessman, Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu, to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris, describing it as another symbol of strengthening cultural and economic relations between France and Africa.

On governance, the ambassador said both countries remained committed to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities, adding that the French Embassy continued to support programmes focused on empowering women, young people and persons with disabilities.

He also highlighted ongoing cooperation in agriculture through the French Development Agency, particularly projects aimed at strengthening food security and improving agricultural value chains across northern Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

Speaking on security, Mr Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France continued to work closely in tackling terrorism and strengthening regional stability, noting that both countries were supporting efforts to improve the capacity of nations confronting extremist threats across West Africa.

The ambassador further revealed that Macron’s interest in Africa was shaped by his six-month stay in Nigeria as a student more than two decades ago, saying the experience significantly influenced the French President’s vision for Africa and his approach to diplomacy on the continent.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have apprehended the Director General of the phantom Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi.

His arrest happened a few hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.

The police had announced plans to arraign Mr Adeyemi before the court on Tuesday over allegations bordering on forgery, impersonation, and related offences.

The security agency, in a fresh charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, listed Mr Adeyemi, “Femi Surname Unknown,” and “Anu Surname Unknown” as the first to third defendants, respectively, over alleged forgery and impersonation.

The prosecution has lined up several witnesses, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers, civil servants, and individuals allegedly linked to the operations of the purported agency. It was reported that a hotel operator, a clergyman, and persons said to have worked with Mr Adeyemi at the alleged agency are also expected to testify.

Investigators alleged that Mr Adeyemi operated the purported agency from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja before his arrest.

The police case follows a public debate over the existence of the alleged PFIPC after Mr Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s denial that the body ever existed.

Mr Adeyemi accused Mr Gbajabiamila of making conflicting statements regarding both the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

During a recent press briefing, Mr Adeyemi called for an independent probe into the two bodies and alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila demanded financial payments linked to his purported appointment.

He claimed that N400 million was paid through intermediaries, with an additional N200 million allegedly requested—claims that have not been substantiated.

Mr Adeyemi also argued that references to both the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act, questioning the government’s position that the organisations never officially existed.

The planned prosecution comes as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) continues a broader investigation ordered by President Tinubu.

The Senate had earlier declined to immediately investigate the inclusion of the alleged PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act, opting instead to await the outcome of the anti-graft agency’s probe.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed two fuel stations in Ogun State engaging in under-dispensing of petroleum products and non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.

Leading the enforcement team around the Akute-Ajuwon axis of the state, the Head of Distribution Systems Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Adebowale, said the move became imperative in view of repeated breaches of regulatory requirements by the affected stations and the need to protect the rights of consumers from sharp practices.

According to him, the development is part of its ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with industry regulations, protect consumers from sharp practices, and ensure that petroleum marketers dispense the correct quantity of products across the state.

He explained that records available to the authority showed that the fuel stations have consistently violated regulatory compliance by under-dispensing petroleum products, illegally breaking official seals placed on the facility, and resuming operations without authorisation.

According to him, such actions amount to a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2023 and undermine efforts to protect consumers from exploitation.

“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is carrying out a lawful enforcement on this facility. Our records have consistently shown that this company has been violating regulatory compliance.”

“It is high time we made it clear that they cannot continue to under-dispense products, deliberately remove our seals, and believe that nothing will happen; that is why we are here to enforce the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2023 he said.

“When it comes to under-dispensing, they are cheating members of the public by not selling the correct quantity of fuel. Also, once a station is sealed, it has no authorisation to operate. But this station deliberately removed our seal and continued operations, which is against the law.”

Mr Adebowale disclosed that the authority has been monitoring the station’s activities since 2025, describing the violations as persistent despite several enforcement actions.

He revealed that the affected station had been sealed no fewer than six times within the period, but continued to remove the authority’s seals and ignore invitations extended by the regulator.

“From our records, this has been happening since last year. The station has also refused to honour our invitations. It has been sealed not less than six times, yet it keeps removing our seals and resuming operations.”

On the sanctions awaiting the operators, Adebowale said the authority had served the stations with enforcement notices, while the facilities would remain shut until all stipulated conditions are met.

He added that the NMDPRA management would also consider suspending the operating licence of the affected stations, while also sending a strong warning to any fuel station intending to go against the rules of PIA.

“That is against the rules. They do not have any right to operate until we authorise them to do so. This is a clear deviation from regulatory compliance. According to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), when this happens, we must carry out enforcement, and that is why we are here today.

​Beyond conducting this exercise, we are also using this opportunity to address the public through the media. As long as operators are doing the right thing, they have nothing to fear. However, for those going against compliance levels—whether through under-dispensing or direct violation of our seal—all necessary enforcement, penalties, and sanctions will be strictly applied against such offenders.”

“A letter has been served, the station has been completely shut down, and they must meet all the conditions, including payment of the applicable penalties. We are also looking at suspending the operating licence, subject to management’s approval,” he said, warning that any further attempt to tamper with the seals or resume operations illegally would attract criminal prosecution.