Tinubu secured French military support after talks with Macron, marking insecurity as a top priority

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu revealed that Nigeria will receive military equipment and training support from Emmanuel Macron following a high-level telephone conversation between the two leaders.

The President announced this on Sunday during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where he was celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday after returning from his recent state visit to the UK. Details of his remarks are contained in excerpts from his speech which journalists can access.

Speaking about efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, Tinubu said, “I was able to report to you, yesterday again, on the long discussions with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us on equipment and support.” He added, “I am trying my best to contact other countries. If we have to use our goodwill and credit, we have parties willing to support us with equipment and training.”

The president described insecurity as the most pressing challenge facing his government, and stressed the need for unity in overcoming it. “The next phase of our struggle is facing us; it is the challenge of insecurity in the country,” he said. “I am making every effort to ensure we collectively share the joy and pride of victory over tyranny.”

Tinubu noted that discussions around the acquisition of military equipment also took center stage during his recent visit to the UK. “One of the big discussions in England is about equipment. I can report to you, again yesterday, in a long discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their cooperation with us for equipment and support,” he said.

The meeting with the governors came after the deadly bomb attack in Maiduguri, which claimed 23 lives and left more than 100 people injured. In response, the President had previously directed security chiefs to relocate to troubled cities and approved additional operational support to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.

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During the session, Tinubu also acknowledged the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis, and warned that this could worsen inflation and weigh on household incomes. “I know that the Middle East crisis will cause inflation and affect our purchasing power,” he said. “Trade unions and other parties will come together to support them because of the impact of wars in the Middle East and prices at the gas pump, resulting in problems with transportation and food prices.”

Commending the governors for their presence despite the short notice, Tinubu said, “I am very surprised at this short notice that this number is very impressive. It shows sincerity, commitment and the value of friendship and togetherness. I thank you all for what we have done.”

He also urged state leaders to prioritize the welfare of vulnerable citizens, noting that although progress has been made, there is still much progress to be made. The President expressed his condolences to Babagana Zulum over the recent attacks, and encouraged him to convey the government’s sympathy to the affected communities.

Reiterating his government’s resolve, Tinubu stated, “We must defeat terrorism and all these criminal acts. As we invest in technology and equipment, we must defeat them.”

Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security threats, including insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and widespread kidnapping, and the government is increasingly seeking international partnerships to improve its response.