🇳🇬 Nigeria–France advance defence collaboration for enhanced security as COAS receives French Defence Attaché

 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on 4 February 2026 engaged the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, in a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s defence collaboration with France. 

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 14:32 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The engagement aims to enhance intelligence sharing, professional military training, and operational readiness to address evolving security threats in the region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu commended France for its sustained support and collaboration with the Nigerian Army, emphasizing that such partnerships are vital to Nigeria’s broader counter-security strategy. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to continuous professional development across all corps and highlighted the need for mutually beneficial bilateral defence cooperation focused on capacity building, advanced training, and improved operational effectiveness.

Colonel Stéphane Useo acknowledged the resilience and dedication of the Nigerian Army in responding to emerging security challenges, particularly commending its successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin. 

He advocated expanded access for Nigerian Army personnel to strategic professional military courses, including Public Relations and Aviation, and recognized the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of the best institutions in Africa for civil-military affairs and information management.

Colonel Useo reiterated France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation, stressing the shared responsibility to promote regional stability, counter emerging threats, and build sustainable military capacity. He described the partnership as mutually reinforcing, enhancing the defence capabilities and professional standards of both nations. 

The high-level engagement also focused on strengthening operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the French Armed Forces in response to dynamic regional and global security challenges, with both sides expressing optimism about long-term collaboration.

FACT-CHECK & BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Nigeria and France have maintained a longstanding defence relationship, particularly in counter-terrorism and capacity-building initiatives. 

The Nigerian Army has benefitted from French training programs in intelligence, logistics, aviation, and civil-military cooperation. 

Past collaborations have included joint exercises, advisory support, and strategic partnerships to enhance operational efficiency.

The French Defence Attaché regularly liaises with Nigerian Armed Forces institutions to align on regional security priorities, including the Sahel corridor and the Gulf of Guinea. 

Such bilateral engagements strengthen interoperability, improve tactical capabilities, and support Nigeria’s role in regional security frameworks.

🏷 Tags: Defence, Nigeria, France, Military Cooperation, Security, Bilateral Relations

Hashtags: #Defence #NigeriaFrance #NAF #MilitaryCooperation #RegionalSecurity

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