President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 7 received Madagascar’s Head of State, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, and his delegation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The visit marks President Randrianirina’s first official trip to Nigeria since assuming office in October 2025.
Upon arrival, the Malagasy leader was escorted to the forecourt by bagpipers of the Presidential Guards Brigade. He was welcomed by a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, before being ushered into the Presidential Villa for a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu.
The visit is considered a significant step in strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Madagascar. Prior to this engagement, interactions between both leaders had largely taken place on neutral grounds, including their brief meeting at the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in May.
Since assuming office, President Randrianirina has embarked on a series of diplomatic visits across Africa aimed at fostering cooperation and attracting strategic partnerships to support Madagascar’s economic growth and development.
Observers believe the visit could further enhance bilateral relations and open new avenues for collaboration between Nigeria and Madagascar in areas of mutual interest.
