President Bola Tinubu announced on Sunday that Nigeria has secured military equipment and support from France, following an extensive discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
Tinubu made this disclosure while meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where he spent the Eid-el-Fitr holidays after a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to excerpts of Tinubu’s remarks provided to us, the President said Nigeria intends to leverage its goodwill and existing lines of credit to obtain essential equipment and training for its security forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
Yesterday, after a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, I can report that France has agreed to collaborate with us on equipment and support, Tinubu stated. I am making every effort to reach out to other nations as well. If we need to use our goodwill and lines of credit, there are partners willing to support us with equipment and training.
He identified insecurity as the next major challenge for his administration, stressing the importance of a united response to overcome it.
The next phase of our struggle is facing us head-on: the challenge of insecurity in this country. I am doing all I can to ensure that, collectively, we can celebrate victory over tyranny, he said.
Tinubu emphasised that insecurity remains a significant barrier to Nigeria’s development and prosperity, expressing confidence that the governors are conscious of the task ahead.
He also revealed that acquiring military equipment was a key topic during his state visit to the UK.
One of the major discussions in the UK was about equipment, he noted. “Yesterday, again, I discussed at length with Emmanuel Macron about their collaboration with us for equipment and support.
During the meeting—also attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima—Tinubu addressed economic concerns, warning that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East could lead to inflation and reduced purchasing power in Nigeria.
I know this Middle East crisis will trigger inflation and affect our purchasing power. Labour unions and others will rally in response, as the conflict and rising fuel prices impact transportation and food costs, he said.
Tinubu thanked the governors for attending the meeting on short notice, calling their turnout impressive and a testament to their sincerity, commitment, and the value they place on unity and friendship.
I am very surprised and impressed by this turnout at such short notice. It shows our sincerity and commitment. I thank each of you for what we have been doing together, he said.
He urged governors to focus on supporting the most vulnerable in their states, acknowledging current efforts but encouraging further improvement.
The President also extended condolences to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State over last Monday’s bombings and encouraged him to return home to offer sympathy to the people.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve, Tinubu said the government is committed to investing in technology and equipment to defeat terrorism and other security threats.
We must defeat terrorism and all forms of criminality. With our investment in technology and equipment, we will overcome these challenges, he declared.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security crises, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, separatist movements in the South-East, and widespread kidnappings.
France has a longstanding history of military cooperation with West African nations and has been involved in counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel, where militant groups have taken advantage of security gaps.
This meeting with the governors comes just a week after deadly bomb blasts in Maiduguri killed 23 people and injured over 100. In response, Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and approved additional equipment and operational support to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.
Vice President Shettima also visited victims being treated at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that, beyond the orders given to security chiefs, the Federal Government is increasing investment in equipment and logistics to bolster the campaign against terrorism.
His comments follow his state visit to the UK, where he met with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the trip, Nigeria and the UK finalized new export agreements and discussed enhancing security cooperation, with Tinubu reaffirming that partnership with the UK is vital for addressing terrorism in West Africa.
