France has announced plans to strengthen its security partnership with Nigeria as the country continues to grapple with persistent terrorist violence, particularly across its northern regions.
The commitment was disclosed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who posted on X on Sunday that he had held direct discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Macron said France stands firmly with Nigeria and stressed the urgent need for broad international collaboration to curb escalating attacks.
“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,” Macron wrote.
He added that France would ramp up its cooperation with Nigerian authorities and extend support to communities affected by ongoing violence. Macron also appealed to the international community to play a more active role in stabilising the region.
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator,” he said.
Nigeria has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent months, with armed groups launching deadly assaults in several northern states. Local communities have repeatedly called for stronger protection as security forces struggle to contain the expanding threat.
While Nigeria’s government has yet to release detailed information on the new commitments from France, senior officials have long emphasised the need for enhanced intelligence sharing, better military coordination, and additional humanitarian support to ease the impact on civilians.
France has maintained security operations across the Sahel for over a decade, but its footprint in the region has shrunk recently following diplomatic rifts with several West African nations. Its renewed engagement with Nigeria signals a notable shift in Paris’ regional strategy and may shape future security cooperation in West Africa.