By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has intensified efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s arsenal and combat capabilities through strategic defence diplomacy and international military partnerships.
Shaibu has tasked Nigerian Army Defence Advisers serving in foreign missions to leverage their diplomatic positions to facilitate access to modern military equipment, advanced technologies, specialised training and critical logistics support needed to enhance troops’ operational effectiveness.
The Army Chief gave the directive on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Army Headquarters while receiving Nigerian Army Defence Advisers serving in various countries across the world.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS emphasised the need for the advisers to translate diplomatic engagements into tangible operational benefits, noting that stronger international partnerships would provide opportunities to expand the Army’s equipment base, accelerate its modernisation drive and improve combat readiness.
Shaibu specifically urged the Defence Advisers to prioritise strategic partnerships that would facilitate the acquisition of critical military hardware, particularly ammunition, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
According to him, access to these platforms and equipment would strengthen troop protection, improve battlefield effectiveness and enhance the Nigerian Army’s capacity to tackle evolving security threats.
The COAS stressed that defence diplomacy must go beyond routine diplomatic engagements to deliver practical support that would directly address the operational requirements of troops deployed across various theatres of operation.
Earlier, the team leader and Director of Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency, Major General Kingsley Nwoko, commended Shaibu for his transformative leadership and ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Army.
Nwoko said the visit provided an opportunity to align defence diplomatic engagements with the Army’s expansion, modernisation efforts and operational priorities.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration and strategic international engagements would further support the Nigerian Army’s drive to enhance its capabilities.
