By Nkechi Eze
In a bold diplomatic stride towards strengthening Nigeria’s international defence partnerships, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, today paid a high-level official visit to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava. The visit underscored Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to global security cooperation and mutual military advancement.
An official signed statement by Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed that General Musa, who led a distinguished Nigerian delegation to the Slovak capital, was warmly received by his counterpart, the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, General Daniel Zmeko, alongside senior Slovak military and defence officials. The ceremonial reception included a colourful guard of honour mounted in tribute to the visiting dignitary an honour General Musa duly inspected, symbolizing mutual respect and the shared values of professional armed forces.
Following the ceremonial honours, both delegations engaged in a comprehensive bilateral session focused on defence diplomacy, strategic cooperation, and regional stability. The discussions were far-reaching and productive, addressing key thematic areas such as military training, personnel capacity building, and the acquisition of modern defence equipment.
A significant highlight of the engagement was the exploration of modalities for technology transfer and the integration of innovative defence solutions. The leaders discussed pathways to enhance local production capabilities through joint ventures, particularly in the areas of defence manufacturing and sustainable industrial partnerships.
Both General Musa and General Zmeko expressed strong commitment to deepening defence cooperation between their countries. They emphasized the urgent need for collaborative approaches in confronting transnational security threats, fostering military professionalism, and improving the overall combat readiness of their armed forces.
In his remarks, General Musa extended appreciation to the Slovak government for its long-standing support and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to cultivate a durable defence-industrial partnership. “Nigeria recognizes the strategic value of this relationship,” he stated. “There are immense opportunities for collaboration, especially in building a resilient defence production ecosystem that meets the evolving security needs of our regions.”
On his part, General Zmeko commended Nigeria’s steadfastness in the face of regional security challenges and praised its leadership role across West Africa. He reaffirmed Slovakia’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria in areas that promote peace, stability, and mutual military advancement.
The visit marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria Slovakia relations, opening new corridors for structured military engagement and collaborative innovation. It also aligns with Nigeria’s broader foreign defence policy of building robust international alliances that contribute to regional peace and national security.
As the Nigerian delegation concludes its engagements in Bratislava, the momentum generated by this historic visit is expected to usher in a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two nations, anchored on shared values of peace, security, and technological progress.
