Nigeria, France Deepen Defence Cooperation

Nigeria, France Deepen Defence Cooperation

Nigeria and France have taken significant steps to deepen defence cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening national and regional security in the face of evolving threats.Senior military officials from both countries held high‑level engagements in Abuja, where Nigeria’s military leadership reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration with France to tackle insecurity across the West African sub‑region.At a strategic meeting held at the Army Headquarters, Lieutenant‑General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), welcomed Colonel Stéphane Useo, the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, underscoring that the enhanced defence partnership is integral to Nigeria’s broader counter‑terrorism and security strategy.
General Shaibu commended France for its ongoing support and collaboration, particularly in areas of intelligence sharing, professional military training, operational readiness and bilateral exercises designed to strengthen the capabilities of both nations’ armed forces. “The defence ties between Nigeria and France are mutually reinforcing and vital to our capacity to confront dynamic security challenges,” the French Defence Attaché said, praising the professionalism of the Nigerian Army and noting shared goals in promoting peace and stability across the region.
Both sides expressed optimism about the sustainable expansion of defence cooperation, with discussions emphasising long‑term engagement and capacity building to address emerging threats such as insurgency, banditry and cross‑border violence.The renewed partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing security policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at harnessing strategic international alliances to reinforce Nigeria’s defence architecture and contribute to peace and stability beyond its borders.