Nigeria, Cameroon sign defence pact to strengthen border security

Africa

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (NPA) — Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation to strengthen security along their shared southern border and address emerging regional threats.

The agreement was signed in Yaounde by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Mr Joseph Assomo.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musa described the agreement as a significant milestone in deepening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing security across the terrestrial and maritime domains shared by both countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing concluded two days of intensive deliberations involving defence and security experts from Nigeria and Cameroon.

The MoU establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in securing the Nigeria-Cameroon southern border and reinforces the longstanding defence relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Key areas of cooperation include enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for responding to emerging security threats.

Musa said the agreement would provide a structured framework for military cooperation and joint operations, while institutionalising collaboration in tackling common security challenges.

According to him, discussions also focused on operationalising the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which is expected to serve as a strategic platform for strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

He noted that both countries have critical economic and security interests in the region and must work together to safeguard them.

The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening collaboration in defence technology and innovation, stressing the need for African nations to strengthen indigenous defence production capabilities.

He identified limited local production of military hardware as a major challenge facing Africa’s defence sector and called for stronger regional industrial partnerships to bridge existing gaps.

Musa highlighted opportunities under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) framework and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation and capacity development.

In his remarks, Assomo expressed Cameroon’s interest in expanding cooperation in defence innovation and technology.

He disclosed that a formal proposal framework was being finalised to translate the discussions into concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology and related fields.

The agreement marks a major step in Nigeria-Cameroon relations, underscoring the commitment of both countries to regional stability, sustainable peace, collective security and the protection of national sovereignty.

(NAN)