President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron took their diplomatic exchange to a unique level during Tinubu’s state visit to France, greeting each other in Nigerian Pidgin.
Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, arrived in France for a two-day visit on Thursday, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to France since 2000. Macron celebrated the occasion with a warm message on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a GIF of the two leaders exchanging a special handshake and smiles.
In a rare departure from the formality of traditional diplomacy, Macron addressed Tinubu in Pidgin, saying, “Na big honor for France, dear President Bola Tinubu, to welcome you for dis State visit as one big partner and friend of today and tomorrow.”
Macron also reminisced about his time as an intern at the French Embassy in Nigeria in 2002, noting, “E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time.”
Tinubu responded shortly after, matching Macron’s tone and language choice. “Merci beaucoup, President Macron. Na big privilege to dey strengthen dis bond wey join Nigeria and France together,” Tinubu tweeted, blending Pidgin, English, and French.
Tinubu further expressed his joy, writing, “E sweet me well well to hear say di memories of your time as young intern for Nigeria still dey inspire you.”
The Nigerian president also shared a full French speech, expressing his gratitude and reaffirming the strength of Nigeria and France’s relationship: “C’est un grand privilège, Président Macron, de continuer à renforcer les liens solides qui unissent le Nigeria et la France…”
This informal exchange in Pidgin English, usually reserved for everyday Nigerian conversations, marked a rare moment of warmth and camaraderie between two world leaders. It underscored Macron’s familiarity with Nigerian culture and his efforts to connect with the people of Nigeria in a meaningful and personal way.