By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening strategic military cooperation with the South African Army in order to enhance regional security and build professional military capacity across Africa.
He made this known 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 in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that closer collaboration among African armed forces remains vital to addressing the complex and evolving security threats confronting the continent. He emphasized the importance of shared training, intelligence exchange, and operational cooperation in tackling terrorism and insurgency, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East theatre of operations under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Army Chief explained that the Nigerian Army has continued to strengthen its training frameworks to equip troops with the skills required to combat modern security challenges, including the growing use of Improvised Explosive Devices by terrorist groups. According to him, the service has prioritised specialised training in IED detection, counter-IED operations, and battlefield survivability as part of its ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
He further highlighted the growing collaboration between both armies 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 at key Nigerian military institutions, including the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
In his remarks, Lieutenant General Mbatha said his visit offered an opportunity for the South African Army to study Nigeria’s operational experiences in confronting terrorism and other asymmetric threats. He commended the Nigerian Army’s extensive battlefield experience and expressed interest in learning from its operational strategies, particularly in countering the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.
Both leaders also explored areas of expanded technical cooperation, including aviation training and maintenance. Lieutenant General Mbatha noted that the South African military possesses strong technical expertise in aviation, which could support the Nigerian Army in further developing its aviation capabilities.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by both sides to sustain joint training, operational exchanges, and technical cooperation. They agreed that stronger collaboration between the Nigerian and South African armies will enhance the effectiveness of their forces while contributing to greater stability and collective security across the African continent.
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