Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu has been appointed as the President of French-Nigeria business council, a private sector initiative to enhance business relations between the two countries
President Emmanuel Macron appointed Abdul Samad Rabiu as President of France-Nigeria business council at the inaugural event of the council held in Paris on the sidelines of the Business France Summit in Versailles, France.
In April, Macron had extended an invitation to Rabiu seeking his presence at the Choose France Summit representing business leaders from Nigeria and Africa.
He had also appointed Rabiu as chairman of the France Nigeria Investment Club, commending his commitment to the development of French and Nigerian businesses.
In his remarks, Rabiu thanked the French President for his vision of creating the French Nigeria business council, enhancing the business relationship between Nigeria and France.
He also commended Macron for appointing him as the first President of the inaugurated council, as he pledged to use the platform to create better opportunities for businesses on both sides.
He said “Nigeria is blessed with numerous potentials for French companies to do business across different areas.”
On his part, Macron praised the BUA chairman for his confidence in French businesses, which led to a partnership for BUA’s new 200,000 barrels per day refinery.
The French President pledged his government’s support to facilitate better dialogue amongst the Nigerian businesses and their French counterparts.
The newly inaugurated council also has Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Group, Mike Adenuga of Globacom and Conoil, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries, Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA & Heirs Holdings, and Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank as the Nigerian members of the council.
The largest French companies, including Dassault, Danone, Axens, Ponticelli and Total Energies, are also council members.