UK visit, France call: How Nigeria is building a new security support network
President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is turning to international partners for military equipment and training as his administration steps up efforts to tackle terrorism and widespread insecurity.
Tinubu said on Sunday that Nigeria had secured French collaboration on “equipment and support” after what he described as a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. He spoke during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, The Punch reports.
“I can report to you… at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” Tinubu said. “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 described insecurity as a major challenge facing his government, saying it threatens development and prosperity. He told the governors that equipment acquisition was also one of the key issues raised during his UK trip.
Tinubu also warned that the ongoing Middle East crisis could worsen inflation and hit Nigerians’ purchasing power through higher fuel and transport costs, which often feed into food prices.
The push for external support comes as Nigeria battles multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, separatist tensions in the South-East and widespread kidnapping.
It also follows recent bombings in Maiduguri, after which Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to the city and approved additional equipment and operational support to boost counterterrorism efforts.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
