Nigeria, France deepen defence cooperation to boost regional security
Nigeria and France have taken further steps to strengthen bilateral defence collaboration as part of ongoing efforts to address security challenges and enhance regional stability.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday received the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on advancing sustained military cooperation between both countries in response to evolving security threats.
During the engagement, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended France for its consistent support and collaboration with the Nigerian Army, particularly in intelligence sharing, professional military training and efforts aimed at improving operational readiness. He described the partnership as critical to Nigeria’s broader strategy for countering insecurity within the country and across the sub-region.
The COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps, stressing the importance of maintaining mutually beneficial bilateral defence relations. He expressed optimism that a long-term partnership with France, anchored on capacity building, advanced training and enhanced operational effectiveness, would align with contemporary security realities.
In his remarks, Colonel Useo praised the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Army in confronting emerging security challenges. He specifically commended the Army’s successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin and called for expanded access for Nigerian personnel to strategic professional military courses, particularly in Public Relations and Aviation.
The French Defence Attaché also described the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of the leading institutions in Africa for training personnel in civil-military relations and strategic communication, noting its role in strengthening information and communication management.
Colonel Useo reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Nigeria, emphasizing a shared responsibility in promoting regional stability, countering emerging threats and building sustainable military capacity. He noted that the partnership continues to enhance the defence capabilities and professional standards of both nations.
The high-level engagement underscored the commitment of Nigeria and France to strengthen operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces in addressing regional and global security challenges.
