Nigeria, Switzerland Move to Strengthen Defence Ties with Focus on Non-Kinetic Cooperation

By Bavoriat Clara

The Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Government of Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and strengthening existing defence cooperation, with particular emphasis on non-kinetic partnerships aimed at promoting peace and stability.

This assurance was given when the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Patrick Felix Egloff, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General O.O. Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The visit, according to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, focused on deepening bilateral defence and diplomatic relations.

Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Egloff reiterated Switzerland’s resolve to enhance cooperation with Nigeria, especially in non-kinetic areas such as humanitarian engagement, dialogue, and peace-support initiatives.

He stressed that Switzerland places high value on approaches that address the root causes of insecurity through development assistance, institutional partnerships, and sustained dialogue.

The Ambassador further noted that continued collaboration between both countries would contribute significantly to long-term peace and stability, while complementing Nigeria’s broader security efforts.

In his response, General Oluyede warmly welcomed the Swiss Ambassador and expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s consistent interest in Nigeria’s security and overall stability. He acknowledged Switzerland’s contributions to non-kinetic initiatives and emphasized the importance of such partnerships in supporting and complementing ongoing military operations.

The Chief of Defence Staff expressed optimism that the cordial relationship between Nigeria and Switzerland would continue to grow stronger, yielding more impactful outcomes in peacebuilding, strategic cooperation, and areas of shared interest.

The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to constructive engagement and collaborative, non-kinetic approaches to addressing contemporary security challenges.