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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu says the country has received backing from France for military equipment and training after a recent phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Tinubu disclosed this while addressing state governors at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, during the Eid-el-Fitr break after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
He said discussions with Macron focused on strengthening defence cooperation, particularly in the area of equipment supply and training support.
The president stated that he had held extensive talks with the French leader on collaboration, adding that Nigeria is also engaging other countries for similar support.
He noted that the government is prepared to utilise existing goodwill and credit facilities to acquire the necessary military assets to tackle insecurity.
Tinubu described insecurity as a major challenge facing the country, stressing the need for a united effort to overcome it.
He said the fight against terrorism requires collective resolve, adding that success would be a shared achievement for the country.
“I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support.
“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.”
The president also pointed out that insecurity continues to hinder development and economic progress, expressing confidence that state governors understand the urgency of the situation.
He revealed that the acquisition of military equipment was also a key focus during his recent engagements in the UK.
“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 stated.
The meeting with governors comes days after coordinated bomb attacks in Maiduguri that left 23 people dead and over 100 injured.
Following the incident, Tinubu had directed security chiefs to relocate to Borno State and approved additional operational support to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, assuring Nigerians of increased investment in security logistics.
Addressing the governors, Tinubu further warned that the ongoing Middle East crisis could worsen inflation and reduce purchasing power in Nigeria, particularly through rising fuel and transportation costs.
He urged state leaders to prioritise support for vulnerable populations, noting that while progress has been made, more needs to be done.
“I know this Middle East crisis will elicit inflation and will 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 food prices,” he stated.
The president also expressed appreciation to the governors for attending the meeting at short notice, describing their presence as a sign of commitment and unity.
He extended condolences to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum over last Monday’s bombings, urging him to return immediately to give a message of sympathy and condolence to the people.
Tinubu further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security through increased investment in technology and military equipment to combat terrorism and other threats nationwide.
“We must defeat terrorism and all of these criminal acts. As our investment in technology and equipment, we must defeat them,” he declared.
