By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s longstanding defence partnership with India received fresh momentum on Tuesday as the Indian Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Colonel Manoj Singh, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu Nigerian Army Medal, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to an official signed statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the visit underscored the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and advancing security interests that cut across training, operations and defence development.
During the engagement, Colonel Singh commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained efforts in addressing security challenges across the country and expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded him. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to broaden defence ties, expand training slots for Nigerian personnel and deepen technical exchanges in specialised areas of mutual benefit.
In his response, Lieutenant General Shaibu highlighted the importance of maintaining an enduring military partnership with India, describing the country’s longstanding contributions in training, capacity building and defence development as invaluable to Nigeria’s operational growth. He emphasized the need to scale up collaboration in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing, equipment support and professional military education.
The visit also featured the presentation of souvenirs to the Indian Defence Adviser by the COAS, after which Colonel Singh signed the visitors’ book. A group photograph later captured the reaffirmed commitment of both nations to a stronger and more productive defence partnership.
