Nigerian Army and the United Kingdom (UK) are set to deepen defence cooperation, with fresh focus on intelligence, advanced military training, counter-drone systems and equipment to help Nigerian troops deal with emerging security threats.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Tuesday when he received the British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Tom Harper, MBE, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Shaibu said stronger cooperation with trusted international partners remained important to the Army’s efforts to build a more adaptable and combat-ready force, particularly as troops continue to operate against asymmetric threats in difficult terrains.
He identified the North East as one of the areas where the changing nature of warfare continues to test troops, stressing the need for better intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, technical intelligence, aviation support and constant situational awareness down to battalion level.
The COAS also drew attention to the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, saying the increase would have to be matched with better training, stronger instructor capacity and improved Special Forces capabilities.
He said the Army was also strengthening training at the Doma facility while ensuring that lessons from past military campaigns are preserved and passed on to new generations of officers through command training and the digitisation of military archives.
Responding, Brigadier Harper said the United Kingdom remained committed to supporting Nigeria through the Security and Defence Partnership, particularly in areas that would improve the operational and institutional capacity of the Nigerian Army.
He disclosed plans to expand regional train-the-trainer programmes covering combat drills, casualty care and advanced patrolling.
According to him, future Operation HADIN KAI training cohorts are expected to include troops from Niger, Cameroon and Chad alongside Nigerian personnel, creating greater room for the forces of the four countries to train together and improve their ability to respond to security threats across their shared region.
Harper also disclosed proposed UK support for the establishment of a reference Forward Operating Base within a cantonment environment, alongside counter-unmanned aerial systems and expanded tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities at brigade level.
The discussions also covered defence procurement and capability development, including air defence systems, possible transfers of protected mobility vehicles and specialised ammunition support.
