Tinubu Meets Billionaire Otedola at Private Dinner in Paris

President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with billionaire businessman Femi Otedola at a private dinner in Paris, France, as the President continues his extended stay in Europe.

Otedola disclosed the meeting in a post on his X account on Tuesday, sharing a photograph of himself and the President.

The businessman expressed support for Tinubu’s economic policies, highlighting what he described as gains from the administration’s reforms.

He said the inclusion of major Nigerian companies in the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index, the performance of the Nigerian Exchange, increased foreign direct investment and improved economic confidence were signs of progress.

Otedola also pointed to what he described as a more stable foreign exchange market and strong foreign reserves, which he said stood at about $55 billion.

The meeting comes amid continued attention to Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

On September 21, the Presidency announced an extension of the President’s stay by a few days, initially saying he would return at the weekend. The schedule was later adjusted, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirming on September 27 that Tinubu would return on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1.

Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria and his decision not to attend the UN General Assembly have attracted criticism from opposition groups and some Nigerians.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly and delivered the country’s national statement.

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu’s absence from the gathering would not affect Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.

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