By Labode Obanor
After decades of systematically under developing Francophone Africa, France has now pivoted its focus toward Nigeria, a nation with no historical or linguistic ties to the French empire. The recent state visit of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, serves as a vivid marker of this shift. The ostentatious display at the historic Hôtel National des Invalides, complete with state dinners and public accolades for Tinubu, raises a pertinent question: Why is France courting Nigeria now?
To grasp the motivations behind Macron’s overtures, one must juxtapose this spectacle with France’s historical engagement in Africa. The patterns of exploitation embedded in France’s colonial and post-colonial strategies offer critical insights into why this oil-rich giant has become the new target of France’s neo-imperial ambitions.
A Legacy of Exploitation in Francophone Africa
France’s colonial project in Africa was never about development—it was about extraction and domination. From the 19th century onward, France imposed its system of assimilation, designed to subsume African territories into its economic and political apparatus. Nations like Senegal, Mali, and the Ivory Coast were integrated into a structure where their resources served French interests, with little regard for local growth or autonomy.
Even after the so-called decolonization of the 1960s, France maintained a firm grip on its former colonies through the infamous Françafrique model. This web of economic, political, and military relationships ensured that African leaders loyal to French interests were propped up while their nations remained locked in cycles of poverty and dependency. Central to this system was the CFA franc, a currency shared by 14 African countries but controlled from Paris. This monetary arrangement, which required these nations to deposit 50% of their foreign reserves in the French treasury, shackled them to French economic policies and stifled their sovereignty.
French multinationals, meanwhile, reaped the rewards. From Niger’s uranium to the Ivory Coast’s cocoa and Gabon’s oil, resources flowed to enrich France while local communities languished in poverty. Infrastructure projects prioritized extraction over development, and education and healthcare systems were chronically underfunded. This exploitative cycle persisted for decades, hollowing out Francophone Africa’s potential for self-sufficiency.
The Rejection of France
By the 2020s, the tide began to turn. A wave of political and social awakening swept across Francophone Africa, driven by growing frustrations over French interference and the complicity of corrupt local elites. Military coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger toppled pro-French regimes and ushered in leaders who prioritized severing ties with their former colonizer.
Mali (2022): Following years of dissatisfaction with France’s counterterrorism operations, the Malian government expelled French troops, accusing Paris of undermining regional security.
Burkina Faso (2023): Shortly after its own coup, Burkina Faso’s leadership followed suit, ordering the withdrawal of French forces.
Niger (2023): Niger’s military junta, once seen as a steadfast ally of France, demanded the immediate exit of French troops and dismantled longstanding defense agreements.
These nations, alongside others like Chad and Senegal, have either expelled French soldiers or signaled plans to do so. The message is clear: Francophone Africa is rejecting France’s exploitative presence.
Why Nigeria?
With its influence in Francophone Africa waning, France has set its sights on Nigeria, Africa’s largest and most populous economy. Nigeria represents an alluring opportunity for France’s geopolitical and economic ambitions.
Strategic Location and Resources
Bordering many resource-rich but unstable Francophone countries, Nigeria offers a convenient bridge for France to maintain indirect influence in the region. As Africa’s leading oil producer and home to significant untapped reserves of natural gas, Nigeria is an attractive prospect for a country like France that has long relied on African resources to fuel its economy.
Geopolitical Calculations
France’s pivot to Nigeria is also driven by global competition. With China and Russia expanding their presence in Africa, France risks being outmaneuvered. Establishing closer ties with Nigeria allows Macron to position France as a critical player in Africa’s future, even as its influence in former colonies dwindles.
The Risks for Nigeria
While Macron’s overtures might appear flattering on the surface, Nigeria must tread carefully. History provides ample evidence that France’s engagements in Africa prioritize its own interests over those of the continent.
Economic Exploitation
If Nigeria allows France to entrench itself in its economy, it risks replicating the disastrous dependency seen in Francophone Africa. France’s track record of funneling economic opportunities to its multinationals—while local populations bear the environmental and social costs—offers little reason for optimism.
Political Manipulation
France has long relied on fostering relationships with corrupt elites to sustain its influence. If Nigerian leadership naively embraces Macron’s advances, it risks exposing the country to the same patterns of political interference that have stunted development in Francophone Africa.
Social Unrest
France’s presence in Francophone Africa has often been met with protests and resistance from local populations. Nigeria, already grappling with ethnic tensions, corruption, and insecurity, cannot afford to invite the same level of discontent.
A Call for Vigilance
President Tinubu must recognize that Macron’s charm offensive is not an act of altruism. France’s interest in Nigeria is not about fostering genuine partnership or development—it is a calculated move to secure access to resources and maintain relevance on the African continent.
Nigeria’s leaders must avoid falling into the same traps that ensnared their Francophone counterparts. This requires rejecting exploitative economic arrangements, safeguarding sovereignty, and investing in homegrown solutions to the nation’s challenges.
Moreover, Nigerian civil society must remain vigilant. The public has a critical role to play in holding leaders accountable and resisting any attempts to surrender the country’s wealth and autonomy to foreign powers.
Conclusion
France’s pivot to Nigeria underscores the enduring patterns of exploitation that have defined its relationship with Africa for centuries. As Francophone nations rise to reclaim their sovereignty, Nigeria must not allow itself to become the next victim of neo-imperialism disguised as cooperation.
Africa’s future lies in self-reliance and genuine partnerships, not in the hollow promises of former colonial powers. For Nigeria, the path forward is clear: resist exploitation, assert sovereignty, and prioritize the well-being of its people over the interests of foreign powers. Only then can the nation escape the cycle of resource plunder and realize its potential as a leader on the African continent.
LaBode Obanor is a Social Justice Advocate
Contact: info@leagueforsocialjustice.org
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