Nigeria to get equipment, training support from France — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the French government will support Nigeria with equipment and specialised training to strengthen the country’s security forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The president made this known on Sunday during a meeting with governors elected on the platform of the at his Ikoyi residence, shortly after observing prayers.

The development followed Tinubu’s recent two-day state visit to the , where he held high-level engagements with and on security cooperation and economic partnerships.

According to the president, the latest commitment from France was secured during a telephone conversation with , who agreed to collaborate with Nigeria by providing critical security support.

“I can report that in a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, France agreed to collaborate with us for equipment and support,” Tinubu said, adding that his administration is also exploring similar partnerships with other countries.

He noted that Nigeria is prepared to leverage its international goodwill and available credit facilities to acquire the necessary resources to combat insecurity.

Describing terrorism as a major obstacle to national development, Tinubu called for a united national response to address the threat.

“Terrorism is an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity,” he stated, urging leaders at all levels to work collectively to restore peace and stability across the country.

The meeting with governors came against the backdrop of recent attacks in , where bomb blasts reportedly claimed at least 23 lives and left over 100 persons injured.

In response, the president directed security chiefs, under the coordination of Vice President , to relocate to the affected area to oversee operations and strengthen on-ground response efforts. He also approved additional logistical and operational support for security agencies.

Tinubu further warned that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could have ripple effects on Nigeria’s economy, particularly in areas such as inflation, transportation, and food supply.

He commended the governors for their swift response to the emergency meeting and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deploying technology, intelligence, and strategic coordination to defeat terrorism and safeguard the nation.