Nigeria, Egypt deepen military training ties to address evolving threats

Africa, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to strengthening military partnerships with friendly nations, particularly in advanced professional training to address evolving security threats. He made this known on Thursday while receiving the Egyptian Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Shaibu highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding military ties with Egypt, describing the collaboration as vital for enhancing operational capability and professional development. He stressed that sustained cooperation through advanced courses, training exchanges, and military education is critical to preparing personnel for contemporary challenges.

He noted that many Nigerian officers have benefited from specialised training in Egypt, boosting the Army’s competence, and expressed readiness to expand such opportunities. In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu also underscored the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, including strategic-level training and participation in programmes at the Nigerian Army War College. He invited the Egyptian Army to join the forthcoming Nigerian Army Day Celebration in July 2026.

Colonel Ibrahim said his visit was to review the implementation of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between both militaries. He reported significant progress, especially in training cooperation, and noted preparations for the next Military Committee Meeting in Cairo later this year. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in advanced training and intelligence sharing to tackle shared security challenges.