Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army to address Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.
Shaibu made the call while receiving the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Army Chief praised the United States Government for its long-standing partnership and sustained support for the Nigerian Army, noting that the collaboration has enhanced professionalism, institutional capacity and operational effectiveness.
He highlighted the impact of US military training and education, disclosing that several senior Nigerian Army officers, including himself, are alumni of professional military institutions in the United States, reflecting the depth of bilateral military relations.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army is keen to leverage the extensive experience of the US Army in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, calling for broader engagement in doctrine development, operational planning and strategic capability building.
In her remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Moore reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening cooperation with the Nigerian Army, particularly in capacity building, intelligence sharing, joint planning, humanitarian assistance and troop welfare initiatives.
In a related engagement, the COAS also received the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Patrick Felix Egloff, commending Switzerland’s sustained partnership with the Nigerian Army in humanitarian assistance, peace-building and conflict prevention.
Shaibu described Switzerland as a global leader in peace promotion and humanitarian diplomacy, recalling its role in facilitating the release of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2016 and its continued support through mobile medical clinics for frontline troops.
He assured both envoys of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, adherence to international best practices and respect for human rights, stressing the importance of international partnerships in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
By Linus Aleke
About the Author
