Emmanuel Macron has visited a nightclub founded by legendary Nigerian Afrobeat star Fela Kuti, which has a reputation as a hedonistic haven filled with frenetic music, scantily clad dancers and the smell of marijuana.

The French president arrived at the famous venue in the Nigerian city of Lagos just hours after holding talks and a news conference with President Muhammadu Buhari in the capital, Abuja, at the start of a two-day visit to the west African country.

During the news conference he stated his commitment to helping the fight against Islamist militants in the north-east, before embarking on the hour-long flight to Lagos to visit the New Afrika Shrine.

The venue replaced the famed original that was created by Fela, which burned down in 1977. It is managed by the musician’s sons Femi and Seun, who continue their father’s musical and cultural tradition.

Fela, a singer, composer and saxophonist, pioneered the Afrobeat sound by combining organ riffs with west African drumming and brass instruments. He was also famed for his fearless critiques of Nigeria’s military regime.

“Fela was not just a musician. He was a politician who wanted to change society,” Macron told the audience from the stage. “So if I have one message for young people, it’s this: Yes, politics is important; yes, be involved.”

Fela was jailed on dozens of occasions by military rulers in the 1970s and 1980s, including by Buhari during his time as a military leader in the early 80s.

Macron takes a selfie with Nigerian actors during an event to celebrate African culture at the New Afrika Shrine. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

The presence of the French president brought a different ambience to the famed venue. During an evening in which classic Fela songs were played alongside contemporary artists and a fashion show was held, the French president told the audience Nigeria was important for African culture.

He said France planned to launch a season of events intended to be “the face of African culture in Europe”.

“It will be about a new generation of African artists – for them by them,” he said.

The visit to Nigeria has marked a return to familiar territory for Macron. He spent six months in Abuja as an intern at the French embassy in 2002.

When asked about previous visits to the legendary Lagos club, he said: “I can’t tell you everything that happened when I used to come to the Shrine – because what happens at the Shrine stays at the Shrine.”