NIGERIAN, SOUTH AFRICAN ARMIES STRENGTHEN TRAINING PARTNERSHIP TO TACKLE EMERGING SECURITY THREATS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to deepening strategic military cooperation with the South African Army in order to strengthen regional security and enhance professional military capacity across the African continent. He stated this on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, while receiving the Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, during an official working visit to Army Headquarters Nigeria in Abuja.

During the engagement, Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasized that closer collaboration among African militaries remains critical to addressing emerging and complex security threats confronting the continent. He particularly highlighted the importance of shared training and operational knowledge in countering terrorism and insurgency, especially in Nigeria’s North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI.

The Chief of Army Staff noted that the Nigerian Army has continued to develop robust training frameworks aimed at equipping troops with the necessary skills to combat modern threats, such as the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups and the employment of air assets. He explained that the Nigerian Army has placed significant emphasis on specialized training in IED detection, counter-IED operations, and battlefield survivability as part of its counter-terrorism offensive operations. According to him, enhanced cooperation with the South African Army will further strengthen these training programmes and contribute to building a more capable regional security architecture.

Lieutenant General Shaibu further stated that both armies are expanding collaboration in professional military education and capacity development. Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while officers from the South African Army serve as Directing Staff and instructors in key Nigerian military institutions such as the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. These exchanges, he noted, are designed to strengthen institutional ties while enhancing operational knowledge and strategic leadership development.

On his part, Lieutenant General Mbatha stated that his visit provided an opportunity for the South African Army to study Nigeria’s operational experiences in tackling terrorism and other asymmetric threats. He acknowledged the extensive battlefield experience of the Nigerian Army and expressed keen interest in learning how Nigeria has structured its training and operational strategies to effectively confront evolving security challenges, particularly in countering the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.

Both leaders also explored opportunities for expanding technical cooperation in specialised areas, including aviation. The South African Army Chief noted that the South African military possesses significant technical expertise in aviation maintenance and pilot training, adding that stronger collaboration in this domain could assist the Nigerian Army in further developing its aviation capabilities.

The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to sustain joint training, operational exchanges, and technical cooperation between the two armies. Both sides agreed that strengthening military collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa will not only enhance the operational effectiveness of their respective forces but will also contribute significantly to promoting stability, security, and collective defence across Africa.

APPOLONIA ANELE
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
10 March 2026