France Pledges Enhanced Support to Nigeria in Counter-Terrorism Efforts

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged France's solidarity and strengthened partnership with Nigeria to address escalating security challenges, particularly the persistent threat of terrorism in the country's northern region. The commitment followed a conversation between President Macron and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on December 7, 2025.

Strengthening Partnership and Aid

During their discussion, President Macron conveyed France's support and indicated that, at President Tinubu's request, France would intensify its partnership with Nigerian authorities. This support is expected to focus on several key areas, including:

• Training for local forces
• Intelligence sharing
• Humanitarian aid for populations affected by violence

This approach reflects France's evolving strategy in Africa, prioritizing capacity building for local forces over large-scale military deployments. President Macron emphasized the need for collective action, stating on X, '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. 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.'

Nigeria's Escalating Security Challenges

Nigeria has been grappling with a severe and escalating security crisis, particularly in its northern and central regions. This includes a surge in attacks by various insurgent groups and armed bandits, leading to mass kidnappings, village raids, and frequent clashes with security forces. The violence has placed significant strain on Nigeria's military and humanitarian resources.

Two prominent terrorist organizations operating in the region are Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Boko Haram, officially known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad, was founded in 2002 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Nigeria. The group has been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions since its insurgency began in 2009. ISWAP, a splinter faction of Boko Haram formed in 2015, operates primarily in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. ISWAP has demonstrated increasing tactical sophistication, targeting military bases, government personnel, and civilians.

International Call to Action

President Tinubu has consistently called for international support to address the urgent need to protect civilians and restore stability across Nigeria. The French pledge aligns with broader international efforts, which have also seen commitments from countries like the United States and Russia to assist Nigeria with intelligence support, logistics, and security-sector training. This collective engagement underscores the global recognition of the severity of Nigeria's security challenges and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.