By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for the strengthening of strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army as part of efforts to effectively confront Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.
The call was made on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, when the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, paid a courtesy visit to the COAS at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. This was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Government of the United States for its longstanding partnership and consistent support to the Nigerian Army. He noted that the collaboration has yielded significant benefits for the Nigerian Army, particularly through exposure to American military professionalism and institutional expertise. According to him, the depth of the bilateral relationship is reflected in the fact that he and several Principal Staff Officers of the Nigerian Army are alumni of prestigious United States professional military institutions.
The COAS emphasised that the Nigerian Army is keen to further leverage the extensive experience of the United States Army in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. He advocated for expanded areas of engagement aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness, enhancing institutional capacity, advancing doctrine development and improving overall strategic capability. He further stressed that international military partnerships remain critical in complementing Nigeria’s internal security framework and in promoting sustainable peace and stability across the country.
In her remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Moore expressed appreciation for the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army. She reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to consolidating existing ties while exploring new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in areas such as capacity building, intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
The United States Defence Attaché also disclosed that the US remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Army in key non-kinetic areas, including humanitarian assistance and troop welfare initiatives. She noted that such support is vital to sustaining troop morale and enhancing operational effectiveness, especially in challenging operational environments.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of both countries to deepening military cooperation as a means of addressing common security concerns and strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Army to respond effectively to present and future threats.
