Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, has expressed his gratitude to France for returning $150 million stolen by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

He also acknowledged a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE program, a Federal Government initiative aimed at promoting investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.

The agreement was signed by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), President Tinubu praised the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, which followed his visit to Paris after his inauguration.

He expressed his gratitude to Catherine Colonna, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, for the return of the Abacha loot and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries in areas such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.

President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, discussed the situation in Niger Republic and the efforts to prevent bloodshed through diplomatic channels.

He highlighted the need to respond to the people’s needs and frustrations and expressed his commitment to a peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger Republic, rallying international partners for support.

The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed President Emmanuel Macron’s goodwill and invited President Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum. Regarding the repatriation of the Abacha loot, she noted the completion of legal processes and commended President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, emphasizing support for constitutional order and democracy in all countries.