The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised the need for sustained international defence cooperation as Nigeria steps up efforts to confront prevailing security challenges.
Shaibu made the remarks while receiving the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
The COAS commended France for its continued collaboration with the Nigerian Army, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, professional military training and support for operational readiness.
He noted that such partnerships remain vital to Nigeria’s broader strategy for countering evolving security threats within the country and across the West African sub-region.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps, stressing the importance of sustaining mutually beneficial bilateral defence cooperation.
According to him, a long-term partnership with France—anchored on capacity building, advanced training and enhanced operational effectiveness—aligns with contemporary security realities.
Earlier, Useo praised the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Army in addressing emerging security challenges, specifically commending its successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin.
He called for expanded access for Nigerian Army personnel to strategic professional military courses, particularly in Public Relations and Aviation.
The French envoy also described the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of Africa’s leading institutions for training personnel in civil-military relations and strategic communication.
Useo reiterated France’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with Nigeria, highlighting a shared responsibility in promoting regional stability, countering emerging threats and building sustainable military capacity.
He said the partnership was mutually reinforcing and would continue to enhance the defence capabilities and professional standards of both countries.
The meeting focused on boosting operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces in response to evolving regional and global security challenges.
