The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding strategic partnership with Pakistan to address evolving security challenges.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Friday night by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, following the COAS’s meeting with the Defence Adviser of Pakistan to Nigeria, Colonel Kamran Mushtaq, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Lieutenant General Shaibu underscored the depth and strategic significance of Nigeria–Pakistan bilateral military cooperation. He identified expanded opportunities in joint training, intelligence sharing, defence technology and operational collaboration as critical pillars for strengthening collective security architecture.
The Army Chief noted that deepening engagement in these areas would enhance interoperability between both armies and significantly boost their capacity to counter terrorism, insurgency and other emerging threats.
He further lauded the enduring bond between the Nigerian and Pakistani armies, drawing attention to their shared experiences in combating terrorism and insurgency. According to him, sustained capacity-building through professional military education remains essential to addressing contemporary security challenges.
General Shaibu cited the advanced training Nigerian officers have received in Pakistan and revealed that Pakistani officers are expected to participate in courses at Nigeria’s National Defence College, describing such exchanges as vital for fostering strategic understanding and operational synergy.
The COAS also stressed that enhanced intelligence cooperation, strategic defence procurement and technological partnerships remain critical to improving Nigeria’s operational readiness, combat effectiveness and overall defence capabilities.
In his remarks, Colonel Mushtaq conveyed the goodwill and warm greetings of Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. He commended the Nigerian Army’s professionalism, resilience and operational achievements in tackling security threats.
Drawing from Pakistan’s over two decades of counter-terrorism experience, the Defence Adviser reaffirmed his country’s readiness to deepen collaboration through specialised training, technical assistance and the provision of critical enablers, including advanced surveillance and communication systems.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to joint professional military education and exchange programmes, emphasising their importance in strengthening interoperability, enhancing operational synergy and addressing regional and transnational security threats.
The meeting further reinforced the mutual resolve of Nigeria and Pakistan to sustain robust defence cooperation in promoting peace, stability and security within their respective regions and beyond.
