By Esther Oseyiomon
Nigeria, France Strengthen Defence Ties to Tackle Emerging Security Threats
The Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces have taken steps to deepen military cooperation as part of efforts to respond effectively to evolving security challenges.
This followed a high-level engagement between the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, in Abuja.
The meeting took place at the Army Headquarters on 4 February 2026 and focused on strengthening bilateral defence relations between both countries.
According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the engagement underscored Nigeria’s commitment to sustained international defence cooperation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended France for its continued support to the Nigerian Army, particularly in intelligence sharing, professional military training and operational readiness.
He noted that strategic partnerships with friendly nations remain vital to Nigeria’s efforts to counter complex and evolving security threats within the region.
The COAS reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps, stressing the importance of capacity building and skills enhancement.
He also expressed optimism about expanding long-term defence collaboration with France in areas such as advanced training, technology transfer and operational effectiveness.
In his remarks, Colonel Stéphane Useo praised the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Army in addressing emerging security challenges.
The French Defence Attaché highlighted successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin and reaffirmed France’s commitment to deeper cooperation with Nigeria in promoting regional stability and sustainable military capacity.