President Bola Tinubu is currently in a closed-door meeting with the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Malagasy leader arrived at Aso Rock at about 2:57 p.m. and was received with full ceremonial honours, including a guard of honour and a display by bagpipers from the Presidential Brigade of Guards.
He was first welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, before being escorted into the President’s office complex for the private discussions.
The visit marks Colonel Randrianirina’s first official trip to Nigeria since assuming office in October 2025, following the political transition that brought him into power after the exit of former President Andry Rajoelina.
It also represents the first recorded official visit by a Malagasy head of state to Nigeria, with most high-level engagements between both countries previously taking place at international summits.
The Abuja meeting follows a brief encounter between both leaders in May at the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Past interactions between Nigeria and Madagascar under former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari were largely limited to multilateral platforms abroad.
Since taking office, Randrianirina has embarked on a series of diplomatic visits across Africa, including engagements in Gabon, as part of efforts to strengthen Madagascar’s international relations and deepen cooperation with emerging global blocs such as BRICS.
