Legal & Regulation
Nigeria Denies Allegations of Ulterior Motives in €300 Million Investment Agreements with France
The Nigerian government has denied any hidden agenda behind the country’s investment agreements worth over €300 million with France.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying that there was no ulterior motive in the agreements, which aim to support infrastructure development, food security, and other sectors in Nigeria.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, dismissed accusations from Niger’s military President, 0Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria was involved in terrorism through its partnership with France. Abdulkadir described the claims as false and unfounded.
Also Read:
- TotalEnergies extends Deepsea Mira contract in West Africa for 3 months
- Access Holdings Expands Globally with New Subsidiary in Malta
The agreements, signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Paris, involve critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, and transportation. Abdulkadir emphasized that the funds were not linked to any French military presence in Nigeria. He stressed that Nigeria, as a nation undergoing transformation, has similar development agreements with various countries like China, the USA, Russia, and Japan, and that such agreements are common worldwide, including for Niger.
In response to these allegations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) defended Nigeria’s reputation, describing it as a generous country that supports regional peace and security. ECOWAS dismissed the claims of Nigeria sponsoring terrorism, highlighting the country’s leadership in peacekeeping efforts through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The Nigerian government also rejected accusations from Tchiani that it was sabotaging Niger’s economy, calling the claims baseless. These statements come amid a larger regional context, as ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months (starting from January 29, 2025) to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the organization. The transitional period will end on July 29, 2025, allowing these countries to potentially rejoin ECOWAS.