By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and Bangladesh are exploring new areas of defence cooperation, with both countries seeking to expand military training, professional military education, operational exchanges and institutional partnerships to strengthen their shared security interests.
According to an official statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when he received the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Miah Md Mainul Kabir, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was prepared to share its operational experiences in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and drone warfare technology with the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s expertise in the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons, saying such experiences could form part of broader areas of military cooperation between both countries.
The COAS directed relevant departments at Army Headquarters to coordinate with appropriate defence authorities on joint training engagements and strategic frameworks designed to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Nigerian Army.
As part of efforts to institutionalise the growing relationship, Shaibu approved the establishment of the National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association to bring together Nigerian military personnel who have completed strategic courses in Bangladesh.
He noted that the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division are among Nigerian military officers who are alumni of Bangladeshi military institutions.
According to him, the initiative would provide an avenue to strengthen institutional collaboration while promoting training exchanges, technical capabilities and diplomatic cooperation between the two armed forces.
In his response, the Bangladesh High Commissioner expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State and commended Nigeria’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Kabir disclosed that 154 Nigerian officers had participated in Bangladesh National Defence College courses, while advocating expanded institutional exchanges through foreign service and military programmes.
He said stronger exchanges between the two countries would enhance strategic leadership capacity and further deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
