President Tinubu should refuse to leave France unless President Macron offers him specific iron cast guarantees on foreign direct investment

Ayo Akinfe

[1] For decades, the French have been kicking themselves over Nigeria. They forever regret allowing the British to beat them to this sub-Saharan jewel, creating a West African giant that just dwarfs and dominates all their former colonies

[2] Nigeria has a larger population than the whole of French West Africa put together. France desperately needs Nigeria as an ally because she fears us using the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to block her unfettered access to what are seen as French territories

[3] President Tinubu is currently in France for what had been described as a private visit. He should use the opportunity to meet with his friend Emmanuel Macron and make certain demands. If they are not met, we will block French access to West African markets

[4] France is very big on the environment, clean energy and the subject of climate change. We thus want to see French investment in solar panel manufacturing plants in Nigeria, windmill farms, hydroelectric power plants, etc

[5] We also need French help with regards to football. President Macron should please convince the French Football Federation to release Hervé Renard to Nigeria free of charge. Hopefully, he will be able to bring Michael Olise along with him

[6] President Tinubu should also insist that French automobile makers Citroen, Peugeot and Renault all open manufacturing facilities in Nigeria. They are talking about electric cars so let us make say somewhere like Abeokuta Africa’s electric car city where we assemble say 5,000 cars a month

[7] This should be backed up by a manufacturing facility, maybe located close to Ajaokuta. Nothing stops all these French car giants from owning a Nigerian joint venture that manufactures all their parts and then ships them to the assembly plants

[8] France also prides itself on its famous wind farms. For instance, in France, one 10MW wind farm of around three to five turbines, produces enough electricity each year for the domestic needs of around 9,000 people. Nigeria has an Atlantic coastline of 853km. President Tinubu should insist that the French invest in a Badagry to Calabar windmill wall

[9] I am yet to see any French investment in our energy sector. EDF is a French company but has not bought one of our struggling distribution companies, opened one solar panel manufacturing plant or invested $1 in a hydro-electric power facility. This is totally unacceptable and President Tinubu should read then the riot act. Nigeria is not just a colonial dumping ground for French finished products

[10] For all France’s sins and crimes in Africa, one thing I love about the country is its rich history. They gave us the first workers commune, the first overthrow of a major monarchy, the beheading of corrupt public officials, the storming of the Bastille, the bill of rights, the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity and then that beautiful song the La Marseillaise, which is now there national anthem. It was also a Frenchman who wrote L’Interntionale and ot was a Frenchman who gave us the Fifa World Cup. Now, let the French spearhead the African renaissance!