Nigeria, South Africa Armies Strengthen Military Alliance to Boost Counter-Terrorism, Training — COAS Shaibu

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to deepening strategic military cooperation with the South African Army as part of efforts to strengthen regional security and enhance professional military capacity across Africa. 

He made this known on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, while receiving the Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, during an official working visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.

During the engagement, the Army Chief stressed that closer collaboration among African militaries has become increasingly necessary to tackle emerging and complex security threats confronting the continent. He noted that shared training, operational exchanges, and intelligence-driven cooperation remain vital in confronting terrorism and insurgency, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI.

Lieutenant General Shaibu explained that the Nigerian Army has continued to strengthen its training doctrine to prepare troops for modern warfare challenges, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups and the integration of air assets in counter-insurgency operations. According to him, specialised training in IED detection, counter-IED operations, and battlefield survivability has become a core component of the Army’s ongoing offensive against insurgents.

He added that enhanced cooperation with the South African Army will further improve these training programmes and help build a stronger regional security architecture capable of responding to asymmetric threats across Africa.

The Army Chief also disclosed that both countries are expanding collaboration in professional military education and capacity development. Nigerian officers currently undergo courses at the South African Defence College, while South African officers serve as directing staff and instructors at key Nigerian institutions, including the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

According to him, these exchanges are designed to strengthen institutional ties, promote strategic leadership, and improve operational knowledge within both armies.

On his part, Lieutenant General Mbatha said his visit provided an opportunity for the South African Army to understudy Nigeria’s extensive operational experience in combating terrorism and other asymmetric threats. He acknowledged the Nigerian Army’s battlefield experience and expressed interest in learning how Nigeria has structured its training and operational strategies, particularly in countering the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.

Both military leaders also explored areas of technical cooperation, especially in aviation. Mbatha noted that the South African military possesses strong technical expertise in aircraft maintenance and pilot training, adding that deeper collaboration in the aviation sector could support the Nigerian Army in expanding its air capability for operations.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by both armies to sustain joint training, operational exchanges, and technical partnerships. They agreed that stronger military cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa will enhance the effectiveness of their forces and contribute significantly to stability, security, and collective defence across the African continent.