During a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja, France’s Ambassador in charge of Migration, Mr. Christophe Leonzi, reiterated France’s dedication to enhancing existing relations with Nigeria, particularly in addressing the issues of illegal migration and human trafficking.
Mr. Leonzi emphasised the importance of establishing a more regular dialogue between Nigeria and France, especially between the respective ministries, to effectively tackle these challenges. He acknowledged the existing cooperation between the two countries but stressed the need for further collaboration to effectively address the issues at hand.
Highlighting Nigeria’s significance as a partner in combating illegal migration and human trafficking, Mr. Leonzi suggested strengthening cooperation in areas such as border security and management.
In response, Minister Tunji-Ojo expressed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing its relationship with France, recognising the mutual benefits of a strong partnership between the two countries. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of development cooperation from France to Nigeria over the years.
The reaffirmation of commitment from both sides underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing transnational issues such as illegal migration and human trafficking.