President Bola Tinubu on Sunday revealed that Nigeria has secured collaboration with France on military equipment and training for its security forces following discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The President made the disclosure during a meeting with governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos while observing the Eid-el-Fitr holidays after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
Tinubu said Nigeria is prepared to leverage its goodwill and existing lines of credit to acquire the necessary equipment and training to combat terrorism.
“I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” he said.
The President added, “I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those who are willing to support us with equipment and training.”
Highlighting insecurity as the next major challenge facing his administration, Tinubu urged collective action to overcome the threat.
“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 that collectively we share the joy and are proud of victory over tyranny,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that insecurity is an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity and expressed confidence that governors were aware of the urgency.
“One of the major discussions in the UK is equipment. I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” he reiterated.
The meeting, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also touched on economic concerns. Tinubu acknowledged that the ongoing Middle East crisis could impact inflation and Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“I know this Middle East crisis will elicit inflation and affect our purchasing power. The labour union and others will be gathering to support them because of the effect of the Middle East war and prices at the pumps, resulting in transportation problems and higher food prices,” he said.
He commended the governors for attending on short notice, describing their presence as a demonstration of sincerity, commitment, and the value of friendship and togetherness.
Tinubu urged governors to focus on supporting vulnerable populations and extended condolences to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum following the recent bombings.
“We must defeat terrorism and all of these criminal acts. With our investment in technology and equipment, we must defeat them,” he said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening security.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, separatist agitations in the South-East, and widespread kidnapping.
The meeting comes days after the Maiduguri bomb blasts that killed 23 people and injured 108 others. Following the attacks, Tinubu directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and approved additional equipment and operational support for counter-terrorism.
Vice President Shettima also visited victims at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, assuring Nigerians that the government is investing in logistics and equipment to enhance security.
The President’s announcement follows his UK visit, where he held discussions with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the visit, Nigeria and the UK signed new export agreements and explored deeper security cooperation.
