Tinubu, Otedola meet at private dinner in Paris

President Bola Tinubu on Monday hosted billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, to a private dinner in Paris, France, as the President continued his extended stay in Europe.

Otedola disclosed the meeting in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, accompanied by a photograph showing him and the President smiling together.

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

“At a private dinner in Paris yesterday evening with His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose bold and forward-thinking reforms have put our economy firmly on a path of sustainable growth,” Otedola wrote.

He cited the inclusion of Nigerian companies in the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index, the performance of the Nigerian Exchange, increased foreign direct investment and what he described as renewed confidence in the Nigerian economy.

Otedola also pointed to what he described as a “unified and more stable foreign exchange market” and stronger foreign reserves.

He said the reserves were “standing strong at about $55 billion”, before adding, “I remain proud of you, Mr. President!”

The meeting came as Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad continued to attract public and political attention, particularly following his decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, where he held meetings, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Presidency had earlier announced that his working vacation had been extended by a few days.

The President’s return schedule was subsequently adjusted, with reports indicating that he was expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29.

During his stay in Europe, Tinubu continued to engage in official activities and was reported to have met business and political figures. The Presidency has maintained that he remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to discharge his responsibilities while away.

Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UN General Assembly also drew criticism from opposition groups and other Nigerians.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering in New York and delivered the country’s national statement. The Presidency said Tinubu’s absence from the annual meeting would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.

The latest meeting with Otedola adds to Tinubu’s engagements with prominent business figures during his extended stay in France.

While Otedola praised the administration’s economic direction, his comments on the performance of the economy remain his assessment of the government’s reforms.