The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly debunked widespread rumours alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of a French military base within the country.
The clarification follows reports on some online platforms that claimed France would set up the base under the guise of a French language academy for military training.
Speaking to Daily Trust, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Acting Head of Crisis Monitoring & Public Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded unequivocally, stating: “Not true.”
What the False Report Claimed
The online report alleged that President Tinubu had yielded to diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron during a previous visit to Paris. The supposed agreement would allow France to establish a military training facility masked as a language school for Nigerian soldiers.
It was further alleged that the initiative was being kept secret to avoid scrutiny from the National Assembly and the Nigerian public. The report attempted to link this claim to the launch of a French language laboratory at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna in January 2024, suggesting it was part of a larger strategic move.
FG and French Embassy Refute Claims
This is not the first time the Nigerian government has had to counter such misinformation. Back in May 2024, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, categorically denied any discussions or proposals involving the establishment of foreign military bases in Nigeria.
Similarly, the French Embassy in Nigeria has distanced itself from the claims, reinforcing that no military base is being planned or negotiated with the Nigerian government.
Concerns Raised by Northern Elders
The resurgence of such claims followed a letter reportedly sent by northern elders to President Tinubu and the National Assembly. The letter expressed concerns about potential defence pacts with France and the United States, warning that a foreign military presence could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and national defence strategy.
The elders pointed to growing security challenges in the Sahel region—despite years of foreign military involvement—as justification for their stance.
The Bigger Picture: France’s Waning Military Influence in Africa
These developments come amid a significant shift in African geopolitics and increasing anti-French sentiment across the continent. Nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have already expelled French troops and ended long-standing military agreements with Paris, citing the failure of France’s involvement to effectively combat terrorism.
- Operation Barkhane, France’s major counterinsurgency mission launched in 2014, officially ended in 2022.
- In 2023, Niger and Burkina Faso joined Mali in cutting military ties with France.
- Most recently, Chad demanded the withdrawal of French forces, further signaling France’s declining military footprint in West and Central Africa.
These moves reflect a broader call for African sovereignty, with citizens and leaders pushing back against perceived neo-colonial influence and foreign intervention.
Conclusion
The Federal Government maintains that no agreement has been made with France to establish a military base in Nigeria, either overtly or covertly. Citizens are advised to rely on verified government sources and trusted media platforms to avoid the spread of misinformation, especially on issues related to national security.
