By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its longstanding strategic partnership with Pakistan in confronting evolving security threats.
He made this assertion on Friday, 20 February 2026, while receiving the Defence Adviser of Pakistan to Nigeria, Colonel Kamran Mushtaq, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The COAS highlighted the depth and strategic significance of Nigeria–Pakistan bilateral military cooperation, identifying expanded opportunities in joint training, intelligence sharing, defence technology and operational collaboration as critical pillars for strengthening collective security architecture. He noted that deepening these areas of engagement would not only enhance interoperability but also significantly boost both armies’ capacity to effectively counter evolving security threats.
General Shaibu further lauded the enduring bond between the two armies, drawing attention to their shared experiences in combating terrorism and insurgency. He emphasized the strategic importance of sustained capacity-building through professional military education, citing the advanced training Nigerian officers have received in Pakistan and the forthcoming participation of Pakistani officers at Nigeria’s National Defence College. He also stressed that enhanced intelligence cooperation and strategic defence procurement remain vital to strengthening Nigeria’s operational readiness, technological edge and overall combat effectiveness.
In his remarks, Colonel Mushtaq conveyed the goodwill and warm greetings of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, while commending the Nigerian Army’s professionalism, resilience, and operational achievements. Drawing from Pakistan’s over two decades of counter-terrorism experience, he reaffirmed his country’s readiness to deepen collaboration through specialised training, technical assistance, and the provision of critical enablers, including advanced surveillance and communication systems.
Both sides further reiterated their commitment to joint professional military education and exchange programmes, stressing their strategic importance in enhancing interoperability, operational synergy and collective capacity to address regional and transnational security threats.
