By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and Rwanda have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, enhancing operational capabilities and developing African-led solutions to the continent’s evolving security challenges.
The commitment was reached during a dinner hosted by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in honour of the Nigerian delegation, marking the conclusion of a five-day working visit to Rwanda by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu emphasised the need for stronger military partnerships, intelligence collaboration and coordinated African responses to the growing threats of terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and illicit arms proliferation.
The COAS noted that Nigeria’s extensive experience in counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and joint military operations, combined with Rwanda’s expertise in peace support operations, military professionalism and post-conflict reconstruction, provided a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation.
He identified specialised military training, professional exchanges, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, army aviation, defence innovation and indigenous military technology as priority areas for collaboration between the two countries.
Shaibu also stressed the importance of adopting emerging technologies, particularly unmanned systems, advanced surveillance capabilities and artificial intelligence, to improve operational effectiveness and reduce Africa’s dependence on external defence solutions.
He maintained that sustained military cooperation and the development of indigenous capabilities were essential to achieving lasting peace, regional stability and strategic self-reliance across the continent.
In his remarks, the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, commended the Nigerian delegation’s visit, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening the longstanding military relations between both countries.
Nyakarundi expressed confidence that the engagements would translate into practical cooperation, improved interoperability and sustained institutional partnerships between the Nigerian Army and the Rwanda Defence Force.
Both military leaders reaffirmed their determination to translate the outcomes of the visit into concrete initiatives that would enhance the operational readiness of their respective armies and advance collective security across Africa.
