The move comes after France was forced to withdraw troops from several African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
France is set to establish a military base in Abuja under the guise of a language academy, following approval from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, according to Huhuonline, which cited three independent sources.
The move comes after France was forced to withdraw troops from several African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The proposed academy, reportedly the central hub for France’s new African Command (CDT Africa), will ostensibly focus on teaching French to Nigerian soldiers.
President Tinubu allegedly yielded to pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron during an April visit to Paris.
Sources say Tinubu fears backlash from the National Assembly but intends to proceed.
Last year, France denied plans for a Nigerian base despite reports of scouting locations in Maiduguri. General Thierry Burkhard, French Army Chief of Staff, previously warned that reduced military presence in Africa could hamper France’s intelligence operations, urging a subtler civilian-military blend.
The facility will be led by Brigadier General Pascal Ianni and is framed as non-threatening due to Nigeria’s francophone neighbors.