By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, received a courtesy visit from Lieutenant General Andrei Averianov, Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, on April 28, 2025. During the visit, Averianov thanked General Musa for the warm hospitality extended to the Russian delegation, describing the visit as a memorable day in the history of the Russian Federation.
Director Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau in an official signed statement disclosed that Averianov in his remarks, noted that it had been 80 years since Russia fought Nazism, and the security landscape had evolved, with asymmetric threats like Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram emerging. He expressed Russia’s delight in being part of the fight to create a more secure environment for future generations in Nigeria. Russia, he said, was engaged in special operations facing 39 adversary nations, during which they had developed new methods to combat terrorism, which they were willing to share with Nigeria.
On behalf of President Vladimir Putin and the Honourable Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Averianov pledged Russia’s support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, recognizing Nigeria’s significance as a major stakeholder and power in the region. He added that Russia had been observing and learning from Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts over the years and was ready to assist, particularly with the provision of the full range of weapons required by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to prosecute its war on terror.
In response, General Musa welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, AFN, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the members of the Nigerian Military. He observed that both Russia and Nigeria were undergoing challenging times, resulting in the loss of personnel and necessitating the conduct of special operations. The CDS thanked the delegation for the support from the Russian Federation, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries and the need for continued partnerships in training and operations.
General Musa emphasized the importance of exchanging instructors and students between the two countries for training purposes. He noted that the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force needed to expand training in special operations and provision of requisite equipment, such as special boats, fast attack craft, and amphibious training. The CDS also requested assistance in the maintenance of Russian platforms and provision of aid in surveillance.
Furthermore, General Musa requested support from Russia in the form of spare parts and expert maintenance for Nigerian Russian-made platforms that were currently unserviceable. He appealed for enhanced intelligence sharing from Russia, given their experience in extended operations, particularly in the Sahel region. The CDS also thanked the Russian delegation for personally delivering equipment and providing a team of experts to assist in testing, noting that the Russian Federation had fulfilled its commitment to Nigeria as promised.
