NIGERIA: France to Strengthen Security Partnership With Nigeria, Says President Macron

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

France has announced plans to deepen its security cooperation with Nigeria following renewed terrorist threats and rising insecurity in the country’s northern region.

French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed the development on Sunday via his official X handle (formerly Twitter), after holding talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Macron wrote: “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.”

The French leader said the commitment comes in response to President Tinubu’s request for stronger international support as Nigerian security forces battle insurgency, banditry and cross-border terrorism.

He added: “At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations.”

Nigeria has recorded multiple security breaches across the North-West and North-East in recent weeks, prompting calls for enhanced global collaboration and intelligence sharing. France has been a key player in West Africa’s counterterrorism efforts, particularly through the Sahel region.

Macron further urged the international community not to remain passive amid worsening security risks in the sub-region.

“We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator,” he said.

However, the Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement on the conversation.