TINUBU SECURES FRENCH SUPPORT FOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING AMID INSECURITY CHALLENGES
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday announced that Nigeria has obtained French collaboration on military equipment and training following a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
Tinubu disclosed this during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where he observed the Eid-el-Fitr holidays after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. Excerpts of his address were made available on Sunday evening.
“I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” the President said, adding that Nigeria is prepared to leverage goodwill and existing lines of credit to acquire necessary military support.
He described insecurity as the next major challenge confronting his administration and emphasised the need for collective action. “The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face; it is the challenge of insecurity in this country. I’m making all the efforts to ensure it is us collectively that we share the joy and be proud of victory over tyranny,” Tinubu said.
The President highlighted that insecurity undermines development, progress, and prosperity, expressing confidence that governors are mindful of the challenge. He also confirmed that discussions on military equipment acquisition were a key focus during his UK visit, where he met with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The announcement comes less than a week after the Maiduguri bomb blasts that killed 23 people and injured 108 others in coordinated suicide attacks. Following the incident, Tinubu directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and approved additional equipment and operational support to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts. Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
During the governors’ meeting, Tinubu addressed economic concerns, warning that the Middle East crisis could impact inflation and purchasing power in Nigeria. He urged governors to focus on supporting the vulnerable in their states and extended condolences to Babagana Zulum over the recent bombings.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in technology and equipment to defeat terrorism and other security threats across the country, noting Nigeria’s ongoing struggles against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies, banditry, separatist agitations, and widespread kidnapping.
France has historically cooperated militarily with several West African nations and has been involved in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel, a region where terrorist groups have exploited security vacuums.
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