President Bola Tinubu on Monday received the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for bilateral talks aimed at strengthening relations between both countries.
President Randrianirina arrived at the State House at approximately 2:57 p.m. and was accorded a ceremonial welcome by members of the Presidential Brigade of Guards. He was received by a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, before proceeding to a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu.
The visit marks Randrianirina’s first official trip to Nigeria since assuming office in October 2025 following Madagascar’s political transition and the departure of former President Andry Rajoelina.
The engagement is considered a significant milestone in Nigeria-Madagascar relations, as direct bilateral visits between leaders of both nations have historically been limited, with previous interactions largely taking place on the sidelines of multilateral meetings and international summits.
Monday’s meeting comes weeks after Tinubu and Randrianirina held discussions during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where they explored areas of mutual interest and opportunities for deeper cooperation.
Past engagements between Nigeria and Madagascar at the presidential level, including those involving former Nigerian Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, were largely confined to regional and international forums.
Since taking office, Randrianirina has intensified Madagascar’s diplomatic outreach across Africa, visiting several countries and expressing interest in expanding strategic partnerships, including closer engagement with the BRICS bloc.
Although details of the discussions were not immediately disclosed, sources familiar with the visit indicated that the talks are expected to focus on regional security, agricultural collaboration, trade, and efforts to address the impact of climate change. Madagascar has in recent months faced significant environmental challenges, particularly in its southern regions, where extreme weather conditions have affected infrastructure and livelihoods.
