Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, says that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to partnering with global military leaders and defence industry stakeholders including the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) on strengthening Nigeria’s global defence.
Receiving the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives to explore cooperation in defence technology, equipment acquisition and capacity development at the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, the CDS emphasised the importance of sustained military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships in improving operational effectiveness and promoting regional and global stability.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the engagements reflected the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to defence diplomacy and partnerships that advance national security interests and contribute to peace and stability.
The delegation included military officials from Italy, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates and US AFRICOM.
They are Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Commander of US AFRICOM; Gen. Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces; Lt.-Gen. Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Chief of General Staff of Guinea-Bissau’s Armed Forces.
Others were Gen. Hulumende Fakudze, Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force; and Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the UAE.
The statement stated that the discussion of the CDS with the international defence industry executives focused on shared security interests, professional military education, capacity building, defence technology transfer and operational cooperation.
The statement explained that Oluyede’s discussions with US AFRICOM centred on sustaining the existing strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States, while exploring cooperation in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities, including police training with Italy.
In his discussion with Guinea-Bissau, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and defence capacity development.
His engagement with Eswatini and the UAE also explored opportunities to deepen strategic defence relations, promote defence-industrial cooperation and strengthen responses to evolving transnational security threats,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff emphasised the importance of sustained military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships in improving operational effectiveness and promoting regional and global stability.
The statement added that the engagements reflected the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to defence diplomacy and partnerships that advance national security interests and contribute to peace and stability.
GIK/APA