By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, GCOR, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with France following the successful conclusion of the Fifth Nigeria–France High Defence Staff Talks held from 29–30 June 2026 at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Representing the CDS at the closing session, the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye described the engagement as an important platform for consolidating the longstanding strategic partnership between Nigeria and France.
He also conveyed the appreciation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the French delegation for honouring the invitation to participate in the talks.
General Oluyede noted that the High Defence Staff Talks have continued to serve as a critical mechanism for enhancing bilateral military cooperation through strategic dialogue, joint training initiatives, intelligence sharing, capacity building and other collaborative efforts.
He stressed that the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France reflects their shared commitment to advancing regional and global peace and security.
The CDS expressed optimism that the engagement would further strengthen professional ties and foster enduring friendships among members of both delegations.
He reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to sustain and expand existing areas of cooperation with France, while expressing confidence that the outcomes of the deliberations would contribute significantly to advancing defence collaboration and mutual progress between the two friendly nations.
The leader of the French delegation, Lieutenant General Eric Peltier, expressed appreciation to the Armed Forces of Nigeria for hosting the meeting and reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening defence collaboration through sustained strategic dialogue geared towards addressing emerging security challenges within the region.
Lieutenant General Peltier described Nigeria as a leading power in Africa with a pivotal role in maintaining regional stability and security. He acknowledged Nigeria’s extensive experience and understanding of the regional security landscape, noting that such expertise remains invaluable in shaping a stronger and mutually beneficial defence partnership between both countries.
Lieutenant General Peltier further stated that the high-level engagement provided an avenue for both nations to identify new areas of cooperation while strengthening existing defence relations through meaningful interactions among relevant defence institutions. He expressed confidence that the discussions would yield tangible outcomes and mark significant milestones in the evolving partnership between Nigeria and France.
The Fifth Nigeria–France High Defence Staff Talks underscored the growing strategic partnership between both countries, driven by evolving security, geopolitical, economic and regional realities, while reaffirming their collective resolve to promote peace, stability and shared security.
