The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening defence partnerships with global military leaders and industry stakeholders, including the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM).
Oluyede gave the assurance when he received the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives to explore cooperation in defence technology, equipment acquisition and capacity development at the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The delegation included military officials from Italy, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and US AFRICOM.
They were Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Commander of US AFRICOM; Gen. Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces; Lt.-Gen. Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Chief of General Staff of Guinea-Bissau’s Armed Forces; Gen. Hulumende Fakudze, Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force; and Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the UAE.
Discussions focused on shared security interests, professional military education, capacity building, defence technology transfer and operational cooperation.
During his engagement with US AFRICOM, Oluyede discussed sustaining the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States, while talks with Italy explored cooperation in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities, including police training.
In his discussions with Guinea-Bissau, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and defence capacity development.
Engagements with Eswatini and the UAE also explored opportunities to strengthen strategic defence relations, promote defence-industrial cooperation and improve responses to evolving transnational security threats.
Oluyede emphasised the importance of sustained military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships in improving operational effectiveness and promoting regional and global stability.
The engagements underscore the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to defence diplomacy and partnerships that advance national security interests and contribute to peace and stability.
