Evolving Threats Demand Deeper Military Partnerships – COAS
By ABDUL AHMED (A. A.) RUFUS
COAS Emphasises Need for Strategic Military Collaboration
THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said Nigeria’s security environment now requires more robust and strategic military partnerships to effectively counter emerging threats.
General Shaibu made the statement while receiving the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, during a meeting at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. He noted that the evolving nature of security challenges demands cooperation that goes beyond conventional engagements.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS explained that meaningful military collaboration should focus on doctrine development, institutional strengthening and capability enhancement.
He said the Nigerian Army must continue to draw on international partnerships to support Nigeria’s internal security efforts and promote lasting peace.
General Shaibu described the United States as a long-standing and critical military partner, adding that American military institutions have contributed significantly to shaping the Nigerian Army’s leadership and operational approach.
“The Nigerian Army has benefitted immensely from American military professionalism,” he said, noting that several senior officers, including top personnel at Army Headquarters, were trained in the United States.
The COAS disclosed that the Nigerian Army is keen on expanding cooperation with the United States Army across kinetic and non-kinetic domains, including operational efficiency, doctrine formulation and strategic capability development.
He stressed that as security threats grow in complexity, international military collaboration remains essential to achieving sustainable peace.
In her remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Moore reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its military partnership with Nigeria. She said efforts would continue to identify new areas of cooperation, particularly in capacity building, intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
She also highlighted US support in non-kinetic areas such as humanitarian assistance and troop welfare, which she described as critical to maintaining morale and operational effectiveness.
The meeting underscored a shared understanding that modern security challenges require coordinated responses, institutional learning and sustained international cooperation.
