Nigeria is positioning military education, professional exchanges and institutional capacity building as central pillars of its regional defence diplomacy, with the Nigerian Army deepening strategic cooperation with Burundi beyond traditional bilateral engagements toward long-term security partnerships capable of strengthening Africa's collective response to terrorism and emerging transnational threats.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 6 August 2026
Time: 14:30 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria
This strategic direction formed part of discussions when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu received the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to Nigeria, His Excellency Edouard Nduwimana, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff said the Nigerian Army intends to expand defence cooperation through specialised training opportunities, institutional capacity development, personnel exchange programmes and strategic exposure visits designed to improve the operational effectiveness of both armies.
The Army Chief observed that Nigeria and Burundi share longstanding relations founded on common African values, mutual respect and a shared commitment to continental peace and security.
He maintained that closer cooperation in military education, operational experience sharing and regional security initiatives has become increasingly important as African countries confront terrorism, violent extremism and other cross-border security challenges that require coordinated responses rather than isolated national efforts.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also commended Burundi's progress in advancing peace, stability and national reconciliation, stressing that sustained military engagements and continuous strategic communication would further strengthen bilateral confidence while supporting wider regional security objectives.
The Ambassador Edouard Nduwimana conveyed the goodwill of President General Évariste Ndayishimiye and commended the Nigerian Army for its professionalism, operational achievements and contributions to peace support operations and counter-terrorism efforts across the continent.
The Ambassador requested expanded access for Burundian military personnel to Nigerian military institutions through scholarships, specialised professional training and other capacity-building programmes.
He also advocated broader instructor exchange initiatives, joint military exercises and deeper cooperation in peace support operations and counter-terrorism, describing them as practical measures for consolidating the longstanding defence relationship between both countries.
The engagement reflects Nigeria's continued use of military diplomacy as an instrument for strengthening regional security architecture, with professional military education and institutional partnerships increasingly serving as strategic tools for building collective African security capacity beyond national borders.
🏷️ Tags: ZigPressRelease, Nigeria, Nigerian Army, Burundi, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Edouard Nduwimana, Military Diplomacy, Defence Cooperation, Military Training, Capacity Building, Counterterrorism, Regional Security, Army Headquarters, Abuja
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