The Nigerian government has clarified its stance on cooperating with France despite several West African countries cutting ties with their former colonial power.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that Nigeria is an open country that will continue to maintain and seek cooperation with all members of the international community in the interest of security, growth, and overall prosperity.
A new cooperation agreement was recently signed with France to strengthen revenue systems, enhance digital capacity, and improve cross-border tax compliance.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also affirmed his country’s solidarity with Nigeria in addressing security challenges and pledged to deepen cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
But countries in West Africa, especially the Francophone nations appear to be ending their ties with their former colonial masters.
Addressing the situation, the minister said “Nigeria is an open country.
“Nigeria has partnerships with countries around the world and will continue to maintain and seek cooperation with all members of the international community in the interest of our security, growth, and overall prosperity,” he added.
On the issue of the death penalty for kidnappers, the minister said, “On the issue of the death penalty being opposed by the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, what I can say is that the Nigerian Government acts strictly within the law.
“The government will not do anything inconsistent with the laws of the Federation.
“If there is a need to adapt or modify these laws, the National Assembly is there to deliberate and decide. For now, Nigeria is a sovereign country governed by its laws, and all operators, including security agencies, act within those legal parameters.
“On the Safe Schools Initiative and mass abductions, we must remain optimistic.
“That is the optimism President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants Nigerians to share.
“We do not expect continuous mass abductions going forward. The government is working to ensure this does not continue.”