Nigeria, South Africa deepen military cooperation to combat terrorism

Nigeria and South Africa are deepening military cooperation aimed at improving training, operational capacity and regional security as both countries confront evolving security threats across the continent.

The Chief of Army Staff,  Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening strategic collaboration with the South African Army when he received his counterpart, Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, during an official working visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shaibu said stronger cooperation among African militaries was vital to tackling emerging and complex threats such as terrorism, insurgency and asymmetric warfare. He stressed that enhanced training partnerships would improve operational readiness and help build a stronger regional security framework.

According to him, Nigeria has continued to refine its training programmes to equip troops with skills needed to confront modern battlefield threats, particularly the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by insurgent groups in the North-East under Operation HADIN KAI.

He explained that the Nigerian Army has prioritised specialised training in IED detection, counter-IED operations and battlefield survivability as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations, adding that collaboration with the South African Army would further strengthen these efforts.

Shaibu also highlighted ongoing cooperation in professional military education, noting that Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while South African officers serve as instructors and directing staff at Nigerian military institutions, including the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

“These exchanges are designed to deepen institutional ties while enhancing operational knowledge and leadership development within the armed forces,” he said.

Mbatha, on his part, said his visit offered the South African Army an opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s extensive operational experience in combating terrorism and other asymmetric threats.

He expressed particular interest in Nigeria’s counter-IED strategies and broader operational frameworks developed from years of fighting insurgency.

The South African Army chief also noted potential areas for expanded technical collaboration, especially in aviation, pointing out that South Africa possesses significant expertise in aviation maintenance and pilot training that could support the Nigerian Army’s aviation capability development.

Both army chiefs agreed to sustain joint training initiatives, operational exchanges and technical cooperation, describing the partnership as crucial to strengthening defence capacity and promoting stability across Africa.

The visit, according to a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, underscores growing efforts by African militaries to collaborate more closely in addressing shared security challenges.