President Bola Tinubu said Sunday that Nigeria has secured military equipment support from France following talks with Emmanuel Macron.
Tinubu disclosed this during a meeting with state governors at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
“I can report to you that, again, after a lengthy discussion with Macron, they are collaborating with us on equipment and support,” Tinubu said, according to excerpts of his remarks released Sunday.
He said Nigeria is prepared to use its goodwill and existing lines of credit to acquire equipment and training for security forces in the fight against terrorism.
“I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those willing to support us with equipment and training,” he said.
Tinubu described insecurity as a major challenge facing his administration and called for collective efforts to address it.
“The next phase of our struggle is the challenge of insecurity in this country,” he said. “We must ensure that collectively we can be proud of victory over tyranny.”
He said insecurity remains a barrier to development and expressed confidence that governors understand the urgency of the situation.
Tinubu added that military equipment acquisition was a key topic during his visit to the United Kingdom.
Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the meeting, where Tinubu also addressed economic concerns, warning that the Middle East crisis could drive inflation and weaken purchasing power.
“I know this crisis will elicit inflation and affect our purchasing power,” he said, noting potential increases in fuel, transportation and food prices.
The president thanked governors for attending the meeting on short notice and urged them to prioritize support for vulnerable populations.
He also extended condolences to Borno State Gov. Babagana Zulum over recent bombings in Maiduguri and urged him to convey sympathy to affected residents.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in technology and equipment to combat terrorism and other security threats.
“We must defeat terrorism and all criminal acts,” he said.
Nigeria faces multiple security challenges, including insurgencies by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and north-central regions, separatist agitation in the southeast, and widespread kidnapping.
France has maintained military cooperation with several West African countries and has supported counterterrorism operations in the Sahel region.
The meeting came about a week after coordinated suicide bombings in Maiduguri killed 23 people and injured 108 others. Following the attacks, Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to the city and approved additional equipment and operational support.
Shettima visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Tuesday.
