The Nigerian Army and the South African Army have pledged to deepen their strategic partnership to boost regional security and improve the professional skills of soldiers across the African continent.
The pledge was made on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, hosted his South African counterpart, Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, during an official visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the Nigerian Army said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between both militaries in tackling terrorism, insurgency and other emerging security threats on the African continent.
Speaking during the engagement, Shaibu stressed the importance of closer collaboration among African militaries to effectively address complex security challenges facing the continent.
He noted that sharing training experiences and operational knowledge is critical, especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
The army chief pointed to Nigeria’s experience in the North-East under Operation HADIN KAI as an important area where valuable lessons can be drawn.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has continued to develop strong training programmes aimed at equipping soldiers with the skills required to confront modern threats.
To stay ahead of evolving security challenges, Shaibu explained that the Nigerian Army has built robust training frameworks focusing on the detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), counter-IED operations and battlefield survivability.
He said these programmes are designed to improve the ability of troops to detect and neutralise explosives used by terrorists, dismantle explosive networks and enhance soldiers’ safety during intense combat operations.
“Enhanced cooperation with the South African Army will further strengthen these training programmes and contribute to building a more capable regional security architecture,” Shaibu stated.
The Chief of Army Staff further explained that the growing partnership between the two armies is already evident in military education and training exchanges.
He disclosed that Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while officers from the South African Army serve as instructors at key Nigerian military institutions, including the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
According to him, these exchanges are aimed at strengthening institutional ties between both countries while also developing strategic leadership skills among military officers.
The two military chiefs also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in specialised technical areas, including aviation.
Mbatha noted that the South African military possesses significant expertise in pilot training and aircraft maintenance.
He said stronger collaboration in this area could support the Nigerian Army in further developing its aviation capabilities.
On his part, the South African Army Chief described the visit as an important opportunity for his country to study Nigeria’s operational experience in addressing terrorism and other asymmetric security threats.
He acknowledged the extensive battlefield experience of the Nigerian Army and expressed interest in understanding how Nigeria structures its training and operational strategies to confront evolving threats, particularly in countering the use of improvised explosive devices in insurgent warfare.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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