Tinubu Hosts Otedola at Private Dinner in Paris
President Bola Tinubu hosted billionaire businessman Femi Otedola for a private dinner in Paris, France, on Monday, according to a disclosure by Otedola.
Otedola shared news of the meeting in a post on his X account on Tuesday, alongside a photograph showing the two men smiling together.
In the post, Otedola voiced his backing for Tinubu's economic policies and pointed to what he described as benefits arising from the administration's reforms.
He wrote: "At a private dinner in Paris yesterday evening with His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose bold and forward-thinking reforms have put our economy firmly on a path of sustainable growth."
Otedola referenced the listing of leading Nigerian companies on the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index, the performance of the Nigerian Exchange, a rise in foreign direct investment and what he called renewed economic confidence.
He also mentioned a "unified and more stable foreign exchange market" and foreign reserves, which he said were "standing strong at about $55 billion".
He added, "I remain proud of you, Mr. President!"
The dinner took place as Tinubu's prolonged stay overseas and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York continue to attract scrutiny.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, beginning what the Presidency called a three-week working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
On September 21, the presidency announced a first extension of "a few days," stating that Tinubu would return at the weekend. That plan was subsequently revised, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirming on September 27 that the president would now return on Tuesday, September 29, arriving in Lagos ahead of Independence Day events on October 1.
The extended period abroad and Tinubu's absence from the UNGA have drawn criticism from opposition groups and other Nigerians.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party faulted the extension of the President's vacation and his choice not to attend the UN gathering, while the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council also sought an explanation for his continued absence.
The 81st UNGA was Tinubu's third successive absence from the annual event. Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the meeting, where he delivered the country's national statement.
The Presidency said Tinubu's absence would not weaken Nigeria's diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.
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