French President, Emmanuel Macron, has arrived Nigeria ans has met with at the presidential villa in Abuja with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting is part of efforts to forge closer ties with English-speaking Africa.
Macron, a 40-year-old former investment banker who speaks fluent English, has made a point of boosting ties with France’s former colonies but also improving trade with Anglophone countries.
Macron is also billed to visit Lagos State where the state government has planned to host him at the New Afrika Shrine founded by Femi Kuti, son of music legend, Fela Kuti.
Th city of Lagos became tensed on Tuesday morning over the intended French President’s visit with traffic already building up on major roads where road users were diverted.
Lagos State Government also tried to put finishing touches to the road leading to the Shrine which was in a state of disrepair for several months.
Some Lagosians mocked the government officials by asking them to invite more world leaders if only their invitation will lead to infrastructure repain.
Macron will be the first president to enter the place.
The New Afrika Shrine located at Ikeja Lagos was built after the original Shrine by the musical maverick, Fela was burnt down in 1977.
In Lagos, the agenda will be less traditionally diplomatic, with a focus more on the megacity of 20 million people’s artistic and cultural scene.
The French President is expected to officially launch the African Cultural Season which takes place in France in 2020.
The event showcases music, fashion and theatre.
The choice of location — the Shrine concert venue of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti — has come as a surprise for many Nigerians given its association with the anti-establishment musician.
“It’s a pleasant surprise that Macron chose to celebrate the cultural scene in Lagos,” said Steve Ayorinde, Lagos state tourism commissioner.
“But it didn’t come as a shock, knowing that France is a very cultural country and knowing that Macron is a young president.”
The Lagos State Government announced traffic diversion and restricted movement from 12 noon to 12 midnight on Tuesday around the Alausa, Afrika Shrine/Agidingbi axis.