President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, May 16, 2021, depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit to attend African Finance Summit which will be focused on reviewing African economy, following shocks from coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.
The summit, which is to be hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.
During the visit, President Buhari, according to a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, will meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking the spread of COVID-19, with more research and vaccines.
Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will also receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community in France.
The President will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.
Also on the presidential entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd), and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
