The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional security and safeguarding democratic stability in West Africa through enhanced military cooperation with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level bilateral meeting between Lieutenant General Shaibu and the Chief of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, Major General Tomas Djass, in Port Harcourt on Sunday, 5 July 2026, as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026).
The meeting underscored the shared resolve of both countries to deepen defence collaboration in response to evolving security threats confronting the West African sub-region.
During the engagement, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed the importance of sustained cooperation among West African armed forces to effectively combat transnational crimes, strengthen institutional capacity and promote lasting peace across the region.
He highlighted the Nigerian Army’s strategic role in the regional security architecture, noting that beyond its operational responsibilities, the Army has continued to support democratic governance through stability operations, civil-military cooperation initiatives and unwavering adherence to constitutional responsibilities.
The COAS stated that Nigeria’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations, peace support missions and multinational military engagements has positioned the Nigerian Army as a key driver of collective security efforts within West Africa.
He emphasised that stronger bilateral and multilateral military partnerships remain indispensable in addressing common security challenges, fostering regional stability and reinforcing democratic governance across the sub-region.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, Major General Tomas Djass, commended the Nigerian Army for its professionalism, operational excellence and leadership in promoting peace and security across West Africa.
He expressed Guinea-Bissau’s readiness to expand defence cooperation with Nigeria through knowledge sharing, joint military initiatives and capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of both armed forces.
The bilateral meeting further reinforced the longstanding defence relationship between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau and reflected the shared commitment of both countries to advancing strategic military partnerships that promote peace, collective security and democratic consolidation across West Africa.
