French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against escalating terrorist threats in the country’s northern region. In a call with President Bola Tinubu, Macron expressed solidarity as Nigeria confronts renewed attacks from extremist groups, including Boko Haram and its affiliates.
At Tinubu’s request, France agreed to deepen security cooperation, enhance support for Nigerian authorities, and expand assistance to communities affected by terrorism. Macron also urged other international partners to intensify their contributions as Nigeria ramps up counterterrorism operations.
The renewed engagement underscores Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with strategic allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, even as Paris recalibrates its role in West Africa following military withdrawals prompted by coups in neighbouring Sahel states.
Reactions to France’s expanded involvement remain mixed. Supporters argue that Nigeria stands to benefit from France’s intelligence capabilities and long-standing counterterrorism experience in the region. Critics, however, caution that Paris’s intentions should be scrutinized, given its shifting geopolitical footprint in West and Central Africa.
