Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on a three-day state visit to France, aimed at strengthening Nigeria's relationship with the European nation.

The visit, which began on Wednesday, saw the NGF Chairman and his colleagues, along with other top government officials, receive President Tinubu in Paris, where he was accorded full military honours by the French Republican Guard.

The state visit is expected to focus on key areas such as agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation, and energy transition, with the aim of enhancing bilateral ties between Nigeria and France.

Governor AbdulRazaq's presence in France will equally strengthen the economic, cultural, and political relationship that already exist between Kwara State and the French Government.

The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq, has strong bilateral ties with France. In May 2023, the State received top delegations of the French government led by the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Dr. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, in Ilorin.

During the visit, the Governor AbdulRazaq-led administration signed two major agreements with the French government on a strategic partnership involving the use of Ilorin Innovation Hub established by the governor for knowledge transfer and the development of the Lata grazing reserve for large-scale livestock production.

Two years ago, the Cultural Attaché of Ambassador De France Au Nigeria (Cooperation & Cultural Affairs), Ms. Emmanuelle Harang, after visiting the sites of ongoing developmental projects in the State, lauded Governor AbdulRazaq's exemplary leadership evident in his wise use of the state resources to secure a prosperous future for Kwara State.