As a result of sustained business relations between top businesses in 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 revealed at the council’s July 2022 meeting in Paris.
The council, which was established a year ago, brings together the top businesses in Nigeria and France 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 a privilege to serve as the council’s first president.
He thanked Macron for his support and for reappointing him, as well as Jean Haas of Relais (France), as president of the council and head of the secretariat.
Rabiu also praised the progress made by the France-Nigeria Business Council since its inception, as well as members’ commitments to moving forward with various partnerships despite the slow global recovery.
Among these are plans by some of Nigeria’s largest banks to establish subsidiaries in France and BUA’s partnership 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, a global economic leader.
Members of the French council include the CEOs of Total Energies, Dassault, Axens, Accor, and CMA, among others.
Mike Adenuga of Globacom and Conoil, Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank, Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group, and Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group are among 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 the others.
Rabiu’s current tenure is expected to see the formation of working subcommittees and sectoral groups to increase the council’s effectiveness.
