By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Nigeria and Pakistan, both members of the Commonwealth of Nations and former colonies of the British Empire, share a long-standing relationship rooted in mutual interests. While Pakistan gained independence in 1947 following its partition from India, Nigeria achieved sovereignty in 1960.
This shared colonial legacy has provided a foundation for a growing diplomatic and military partnership between the two nations.
Strengthening Defence Cooperation
In a significant step toward deepening bilateral defence ties, the Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, recently undertook an official visit to Nigeria.
During the visit, he met with Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to explore avenues for enhanced military collaboration between both countries.
General Musa underscored the positive outcomes of the ongoing partnership, disclosing that over 2,000 Nigerian military personnel have received training at various defence institutions in Pakistan.
“Our relationship with the Pakistani military has enabled the training of more than 2,000 of our officers in diverse strategic and tactical programs,” General Musa stated.
“These programs include special forces training, intelligence sharing, border security, and the management of veterans’ affairs.”
Building Capacity Amid Security Challenges
General Musa further highlighted the importance of capacity building in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, and other internal security threats.
He noted that the collaboration with Pakistan continues to yield tangible benefits, particularly in developing specialized skills and enhancing Nigeria’s operational readiness.
Pakistan Praises Nigeria’s Military Resilience
General Mirza, in his address, praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and unwavering commitment to tackling security challenges.
He referred to Nigeria as a “giant leader in Africa” and reaffirmed the strategic significance of maintaining strong defence relations.
“Pakistan highly values its defence partnership with Nigeria,” he remarked. “We face similar challenges, such as terrorism and insurgency. Our sustained cooperation will enhance our collective ability to overcome these threats.”
He also expressed Pakistan’s interest in partnering with Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation to promote industrial-scale defence production and innovation.
Shared Experience and Future Collaboration
Retired military officer and security analyst, Captain Jarma Kabir, welcomed the high-level visit and acknowledged the deep-rooted military ties between the two countries. He emphasized that Nigerian and Pakistani officers have long participated in similar training programs abroad, particularly in the UK, the US, and Pakistan.
“I have personally attended multiple training programs alongside Pakistani officers in both England and Pakistan. These shared experiences have fostered strong bonds between our armed forces,” he said.
Captain Kabir pointed out that both countries face common security challenges and are well-positioned to benefit from intelligence exchange and strategic cooperation.
He expressed optimism for increased mutual participation in training initiatives and lauded General Musa for his proactive leadership in strengthening international defence partnerships.
“General Musa’s approach reflects a forward-thinking strategy aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities through global collaboration,” he concluded.
Conclusion
The visit of Pakistan’s top defence official to Nigeria marks a significant milestone in the evolving defence partnership between the two nations. With shared priorities in capacity building, counterterrorism, border security, and professional military training, both countries are poised to reap mutual benefits.
Moreover, the growing interest in industrial-level collaboration through Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation signals a promising future for this strategic alliance.
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