Tinubu Meets Madagascar President In Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu held closed-door talks with the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

Naija News reports that the visiting Malagasy leader arrived at the State House at exactly 2:57 pm local time.

He was led to the forecourt by bagpipers from the Presidential Brigade of Guards.

Randrianirina was received by a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

He was later ushered into the President’s office complex for a closed-door meeting with Tinubu.

The high-level engagement marks Randrianirina’s first official visit to Nigeria since he assumed office in October 2025.

His emergence followed a political transition that led to the exit of former President Andry Rajoelina.

The visit is also believed to be the first recorded visit by a Malagasy head of state to Nigeria, as most direct bilateral engagements between leaders of both countries had previously taken place on neutral ground.

Monday’s visit came weeks after Tinubu and Randrianirina held brief talks on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, in May.

Although the official agenda of the meeting had not been disclosed as of press time, discussions are expected to focus on areas of mutual interest.

These include regional security, agricultural cooperation and efforts to address the effects of climate change, which has recently affected Madagascar’s southern infrastructure.

Since assuming office, Randrianirina has embarked on diplomatic visits to some African countries, including Gabon, and has expressed Madagascar’s interest in seeking partnership status with the BRICS bloc.