As a result of strong business ties between Nigeria and France, French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, as President of the France-Nigeria Business Council.
The news was announced at the council’s July 2022 meeting in Paris.
The council, which was established a year ago, brings together Nigeria’s and France’s top businesses in order to improve business relations while ensuring routine cooperation on massive economic benefits for both countries.
In his address to the council, Rabiu stated that it was an honour to be the council’s first president.
He thanked Macron for his support and for re-appointing him as president of the council, as well as Jean Haas of Relais (France) as head of the secretariat.
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Rabiu went on to praise the progress made by the France-Nigeria Business Council since its inception, as well as members’ commitment to moving forward with various partnerships despite the slow global recovery.
He cites plans by some of Nigeria’s largest banks to establish subsidiaries in France, as well as BUA’s collaboration with Axens of France to build a 200,000bpd refinery in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, among other key projects by members.
Rabiu also urged members of the council to continue seeking partnership opportunities while planning, cooperating, and adding value to one another so that existing successes can be scaled up for the mutual economic benefit of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, and France, the world’s economic leader.
Members of the French Council include the global CEOs of Total Energies, Dassault, Axens, Accor, and CMA, among others.
Mike Adenuga of Globacom & Conoil, Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank, Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group, and Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group are the Nigerian members.
Tony Elumelu of UBA, Heirs Holdings, and Tony Elumelu Foundation, Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank Group, Philip Mshelbila of NLNG, Daisy Danjuma of Sapetro, and May & Baker are among those who have made contributions.
It is expected that during Rabiu’s current tenure, working subcommittees and sectoral groups will be formed to improve the council’s effectiveness.
