The Nigerian Army and the United Kingdom are strengthening defence cooperation to improve Nigeria’s ability to respond to evolving security threats.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during a meeting with British Defence Adviser Brigadier Tom Harper.
The meeting was held at Army Headquarters in Abuja during Harper’s courtesy visit to the COAS.
Shuaibu said stronger international partnerships remained important to improving the Army’s operational effectiveness, intelligence capabilities, specialised training and institutional capacity.
He identified asymmetric warfare and operations in difficult terrain, particularly in the North-East, as major challenges requiring stronger intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
The Army Chief also called for improved aviation support, technical intelligence and continuous situational awareness down to battalion level.
He said the Army’s expansion from eight to 12 divisions would require additional investment in training, instructors and Special Forces capabilities.
According to him, the Doma training facility would play an important role in developing specialised capabilities required for contemporary military operations.
Shaibu also stressed the need to preserve operational lessons by incorporating historical military campaigns into command training and digitising military archives.
Responding, Brigadier Harper reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through the Security and Defence Partnership.
He said the UK planned to expand regional train-the-trainer programmes covering combat tactics, casualty care and advanced patrolling.
Future Operation HADIN KAI training cohorts could include personnel from Niger, Cameroon and Chad, aimed at improving interoperability against shared regional security threats.
The discussions also covered British support for a reference Forward Operating Base, counter-drone systems and tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Other areas discussed included air defence, protected mobility vehicles and specialised ammunition, according to the Nigerian Army.
The expanded cooperation comes as Nigerian forces continue operations against insurgency and other security threats, particularly across the North-East.
For communities affected by insecurity, improved intelligence, mobility and troop protection could strengthen the military’s ability to respond to attacks and protect vulnerable areas.
The Army said the partnership would support its broader efforts to build a more adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.
