Social media lit up with reactions following a lighthearted exchange in Nigerian Pidgin English between French President Emmanuel Macron and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu during Tinubu’s state visit to France.
Macron, who welcomed Tinubu to France, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a nostalgic post written in Pidgin, reflecting on his early career as an intern at the French Embassy in Nigeria. “Na big honour for France, dear President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT, to welcome you for dis State visit as one big partner and friend of today and tomorrow,” Macron wrote.
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He added, “E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time.”
Tinubu responded warmly, beginning his post in French before switching to Pidgin. “Merci beaucoup, President Macron @EmmanuelMacron,” he wrote. “Na big privilege to dey strengthen dis bond wey join Nigeria and France together. E sweet me well well to hear say di memories of your time as young intern for Nigeria still dey inspire you.”
The playful exchange sparked diverse reactions from netizens. Some praised the interaction as a significant PR win for Tinubu, while others shared humorous or critical takes.
@seankleann wrote, “This is one of the greatest PR for a sitting president. Omo leave politics for Tinubu. God bless Nigeria, Emi Lokan till 2031. Nobody can change it.”
In a more skeptical tone, @HeDontMakeNoise remarked, “If Macron like your president, you should be worried.”
@yommy_dee411 commended Tinubu’s communication team, saying, “Thunderous clap and standing ovation to Mr President’s sides on media and communication for this simple, yet creative and funny post. E dey sweet my belle to see President Macron and President dey yawn pidgin for X like this o. Make una run am dey go; continue to confuse them with pidgin dey go.”
