President of the FranceNigeria Business Council (FNBC) and chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations.
He emphasised the transformational steps taken under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron to foster bilateral partnerships.
Aig-Imoukhuede spoke at the 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, represented a pivotal moment in Nigeria-France relations.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Aig-Imoukhuede commended President Macron’s vision and dedication, which enabled Nigerian banks to establish foothold in France in just six years, a feat that took the UK over five decades. This milestone, he noted, exemplifies France’s commitment to engaging with Nigeria as a strategic economic and cultural partner.
Aig-Imoukhuede further said, “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 added that this symbolic evolution not only underscores the dynamism of Nigerian banks, but also highlights the synergy between Nigerian and French leadership in cultivating mutual opportunities.
The event coincided with President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France, where business leaders from both nations, including the president of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote and CEO of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, convened under the auspices of the France-Nigeria Business Council.
French industry heavyweights like Patrick Pouyanné of Total Energies and Bernard Arnault of LVMH joined their Nigerian counterparts in exploring avenues to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges.
As the president of the France-Nigeria Business Council, Aig-Imoukhuede reinforced the Council’s role as a catalyst for partnerships that harness the enterprising spirit of Nigeria and the industrial expertise of France.
The council said, it will continue to bridge gaps and foster collaborations in key sectors such as energy, technology, and sustainable development. Aig-Imoukhuede added that France must seize this Nigerian moment, reiterating the unique opportunity for France to engage with Nigeria as it emerges as a global economic powerhouse.
