President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged lighthearted greetings on social media on Thursday, in pidgin English.
Tinubu landed in France on Wednesday evening to pay a state visit.
Following a meeting on Thursday, Macron reflected on his time as an intern at the French embassy in Nigeria.
The French president enthused about Tinubu’s visit while writing on X in Nigerian Pidgin, an English-based creole language spoken as a lingua franca.
Macron wrote:
“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.”
“E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time.”
Tinubu reciprocated the amicable exchange by thanking Macron in French and expressing his excitement about the potential to improve bilateral relations.
“Merci beaucoup, President Macron @EmmanuelMacron,” Tinubu 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 Nigerian president asked his French colleague to promote mutual respect and equality alongside him while developing relationships.
“E show say di connection between our two countries strong and go continue dey strong,” Tinubu added.
“We must to continue dey build dis our partnership wey stand for mutual respect and equality, wey go help di dreams of our people today and create better future for tomorrow. Thanks for di warm welcome and fruitful meetings, my paid!”
Tinubu’s post also had an accompanying French translation.