10.3.2026
Nigeria and South Africa armies said they will cooperate in the effort to boost regional security and enhance professional capacity across Africa.
This is coming after the South African Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha paid his Nigeria counterpart Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu a visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to Shaibu, the partnership would enhance training, operational knowledge, and preparedness to tackle emerging security threats.
“Closer collaboration among African militaries is critical to addressing emerging and complex security threats confronting the continent.”
“Our troops face modern threats daily, including Improvised Explosive Devices and asymmetric attacks. We have developed specialised training frameworks to ensure battlefield survivability and effective counter-terrorism operations,” he said.
He added, “Enhanced cooperation with the South African Army will strengthen these programmes and contribute to building a more capable regional security architecture.”
The Chief of Army Staff also spoke about professional military education, noting, “Nigerian officers currently attend courses at the South African Defence College, while their officers serve as instructors in key Nigerian institutions such as the Army War College Nigeria and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. These exchanges enhance operational knowledge and strategic leadership development.”
Lieutenant General Mbatha said the visit provided an opportunity to study Nigeria’s operational experience.
“Nigeria has extensive battlefield experience. We are particularly interested in understanding how your army structures training and operations to counter terrorism and the use of IEDs in insurgent warfare.
“Our technical expertise in aviation maintenance and pilot training could support Nigeria’s development of its aviation capabilities, and we look forward to expanding cooperation in this area.”
South Africa Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha and Nigeria counterpart Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.