Nigeria, Bangladesh deepen strategic defence cooperation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army and Bangladesh are strengthening strategic defence cooperation focused on military capacity building, professional military education, operational effectiveness and institutional partnerships.
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 ready to share its operational experiences in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and drone warfare, as well as its expertise in the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons.
He directed relevant departments at Army Headquarters to engage their counterparts in the defence sector to develop joint training programmes and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of both countries.
The COAS also 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 have undergone training at Bangladeshi military institutions.
According to him, the alumni association would provide an institutional platform for sustained collaboration, training exchanges, technical cooperation and stronger military-to-military relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh.
Responding, the Bangladesh High Commissioner expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Kabir also commended Nigeria’s contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations and disclosed that 154 Nigerian officers have participated in courses at the Bangladesh National Defence College.
He advocated expanded institutional exchanges involving foreign service academies and military training programmes to strengthen strategic leadership development and deepen bilateral cooperation.
The engagement is expected to provide a broader framework for professional military exchanges and the sharing of operational and institutional experiences between the two countries.
