The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to France, Dr Modupe Irele, on Thursday announced that about 30,000 Nigerians were currently living in France.
Irele told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the number included Nigerians living in France as business owners, as well as those studying in various French educational institutions.
“The estimated population of Nigerians currently living in France is 30,000.
“Some are business owners, some students who came here to study either privately or on scholarship, while others have started outfits that promote trade, culture and other forms of interaction,’’ she said.
According to her, many Nigerian professionals resident in France are also actively engaged in promoting socio-cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and France.
Irele said that Nigerians in France were enjoying a positive relationship with her embassy, and described them as law-abiding in
their various French communities.
The Ambassador also said that the French government was working closely with her embassy in encouraging more English-speaking Africans to study in France.
Irele said that there were signs from the French government for deepening more positive future relationship toward Africans in general, especially with Nigerians.
