The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic military cooperation with the South African Army to enhance regional security and professional military capacity across Africa.
In a statement, Acting Director Army Public Relations Col. Appolonia Anele said Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, made the remarks on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, while receiving Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, Chief of the South African Army, during an official working visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts among African militaries, Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasized that shared training and operational knowledge are essential in tackling emerging and complex security threats. He noted that these partnerships are particularly critical in Nigeria’s North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI, where counter-terrorism operations face challenges such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and asymmetric threats.
The Chief of Army Staff explained that the Nigerian Army has invested heavily in training frameworks focused on IED detection, counter-IED operations, and battlefield survivability. He stressed that collaboration with the South African Army would further enhance these programmes and strengthen the regional security architecture.
Both armies are also expanding cooperation in professional military education. Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while South African instructors serve at the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Lieutenant General Shaibu said these exchanges are designed to deepen institutional ties, improve operational knowledge, and develop strategic leadership across the continent.
Lieutenant General Mbatha acknowledged Nigeria’s extensive operational experience in countering terrorism and expressed interest in learning from the Nigerian Army’s training and operational strategies, particularly in IED warfare. He also highlighted opportunities to expand technical cooperation, including aviation training and maintenance, to support Nigeria’s growing military capabilities.
The discussions concluded with both sides committing to sustained joint training, operational exchanges, and technical collaboration, reinforcing the shared goal of enhancing the operational effectiveness of their forces while promoting security and stability across Africa.
