Africa-Press. The Nigerian and South African armies have pledged to expand their strategic partnership to address growing security challenges and to enhance the professional capabilities of soldiers across Africa.
The commitment came during a meeting between the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and his South African counterpart, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, at the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja.
A statement from the Nigerian Army’s Department of Public Relations said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism and insurgency, as well as responding to emerging security threats across the continent.
Oluyede explained that the Nigerian Army has developed specialized training programs to address modern threats, particularly in detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in addition to strengthening soldiers’ battlefield survival capabilities. He noted that cooperation with the South African Army would enhance these programs and contribute to building a more effective regional security system.
Relations between the two armies go beyond operational coordination. Oluyede revealed that Nigerian officers are currently undergoing training at the South African National Defence College, while South African officers serve as instructors at Nigerian military institutions such as the War College and the Command and Staff College. According to him, these initiatives aim to develop strategic leadership skills and strengthen institutional ties between the two countries.
For his part, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, Chief of the South African Army, described the visit as an opportunity to study Nigeria’s experience in tackling terrorism and unconventional threats. He expressed interest in understanding how the Nigerian Army has developed its training and operational strategies, particularly in countering the use of improvised explosive devices in insurgent warfare. The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in specialized technical fields, particularly military aviation.
Mbatha added that the South African Army has extensive experience in pilot training and aircraft maintenance, noting that cooperation in this field could strengthen the Nigerian Army’s air capabilities.
