By Bavoriat Clara
The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, has described Nigeria as a stabilising force in West Africa, highlighting the critical contributions of the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), to counter-insurgency operations and regional security.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.
Ehimen Ejodame, The Ambassador made the remarks on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, during an official courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Cygan commended the professionalism, resilience and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, noting that the NAF’s sustained air operations have continued to play a decisive role in degrading insurgent capabilities and supporting security efforts within Nigeria and across the sub-region.
He stressed that Nigeria’s strategic position and commitment to regional security initiatives have remained vital to peace and stability in West Africa.
The Polish envoy also expressed his country’s interest in exploring practical and mutually beneficial avenues of bilateral defence cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in areas that align with Nigeria’s security priorities. According to him, strengthened collaboration with the NAF would further enhance capacity building, operational effectiveness and shared security outcomes.
In his response, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Aneke, underscored the importance of strategic international partnerships in addressing contemporary and asymmetric security challenges.
He noted that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to leveraging cooperation with friendly nations to enhance operational capabilities, human capacity development and information sharing in support of national security objectives.
Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s openness to partnerships that are anchored on mutual respect and shared interests, adding that such collaborations are essential to strengthening counter-insurgency operations and contributing to both regional and global security.
Discussions during the visit centred on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between Nigeria and Poland, with particular emphasis on areas of collaboration that would support and project the Nigerian Air Force’s ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country.
The meeting further underscored the value of defence diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding, enhancing operational cooperation and deepening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Poland. It also reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s enduring commitment to professionalism, strategic partnerships and sustained engagement in support of peace, stability and security within Nigeria and the wider West African region.
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