President Bola Tinubu is currently holding closed-door discussions with the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Malagasy leader arrived at the State House at about 02:57 p.m. local time and was formally received at the forecourt by bagpipers from the Presidential Brigade of Guards before being escorted into the Presidential office complex for the meeting.

He was welcomed by a delegation led by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, before proceeding into the closed-door session with President Tinubu.

The visit marks President Randrianirina’s first official trip to Nigeria since assuming office in October 2025, following a political transition that led to the departure of former President Andry Rajoelina.

It is also the first recorded visit by a Malagasy head of state to Nigeria, as most high-level engagements between both countries have traditionally taken place at neutral international summits rather than official bilateral visits.

This current engagement comes weeks after both leaders briefly met on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, in May.

Previous interactions between Nigerian and Malagasy leaders, including former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, were largely conducted at multilateral gatherings outside both countries.

Since taking office, President Randrianirina has embarked on several diplomatic engagements across Africa, including visits to Gabon, while also expressing Madagascar’s interest in strengthening ties with the BRICS bloc.