Nigeria and Rwanda expand military training and defense production

Nigeria and Rwanda are expanding their bilateral military cooperation through enhanced training programs and defense industrial collaboration. During an official visit to Rwanda, Nigerian Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu proposed several initiatives to strengthen regional security.

Key proposals include a four-year training program for Nigerian Defence Academy cadets at the Rwanda Military Academy, reciprocal training opportunities, and personnel exchanges for peace support operations. The two nations also intend to collaborate on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and military police training.

On the industrial front, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) plans to work with Rwandan engineering and procurement institutions to boost indigenous defense production and technological self-reliance.

As part of his visit, General Shaibu also toured the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum. He noted that Rwanda’s history provides profound lessons for Nigeria regarding the importance of national unity, tolerance, and the prevention of conflict driven by ethnic or religious divisions.