Nigeria and Rwanda pledge enhanced military cooperation

Nigeria and Rwanda have committed to strengthening bilateral defense relations to combat terrorism and regional security threats. During an official working visit to Kigali, Nigerian Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other high-ranking military officials to discuss coordinated regional strategies.

Key areas for cooperation identified include specialized military training, intelligence sharing, professional cadet exchanges, and joint exercises. The discussions also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity, army aviation, and defense technology innovation. Both nations expressed a desire to promote African-led solutions to continental security challenges, such as arms proliferation and transnational threats.

Lieutenant General Shaibu highlighted the need for African armed forces to adopt emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced surveillance platforms, and unmanned systems. He advocated for the development of indigenous military capabilities to reduce reliance on external defense providers. Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, noted that the engagement aims to improve tactical interoperability and build long-term institutional partnerships.