By Ab Susan
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that France will step up its counter‑terrorism assistance to Nigeria, following a phone conversation with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. Macron said the move reflects France’s “solidarity” with Nigeria as the country battles persistent violence in the north‑east and the Sahel‑adjacent regions.
During the call, the two leaders discussed the security challenges posed by Boko Haram, ISWAP and bandit groups, and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation. Macron highlighted that France would provide additional training for Nigerian security forces, share intelligence, and support community‑level projects aimed at preventing radicalisation.
The French president also emphasized the importance of a coordinated international response, urging other partners to join the effort. He noted that France’s new assistance will complement existing programmes, such as the €300 million European Union‑funded “Sahel‑Nigeria” initiative, and will be delivered through both military and civilian channels.
Nigerian officials welcomed the pledge, with President Tinubu stressing that the support comes at a critical moment as the government implements a national security strategy and declares a state of emergency in several northern states. Tinubu’s administration has been pushing for more robust foreign help to curb the escalating humanitarian crisis.
France’s heightened involvement marks a shift from its previous focus on the broader Sahel region, signalling a willingness to engage more directly in Nigeria’s internal security matters. Analysts suggest the move could also serve France’s strategic interests by stabilising a key West African ally and curbing the flow of weapons across borders.
The announcement follows a series of high‑level visits and diplomatic contacts between Paris and Abuja this year, underscoring the growing convergence of French and Nigerian security priorities. As the partnership evolves, both sides will be watching closely to see how the promised assistance translates into tangible results on the ground.
