The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for expanded military training and professional exchanges between the Nigerian Army and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force to strengthen operational capacity and enhance cooperation in addressing Africa’s security challenges.
General Shaibu made the call on Monday, 26 October 2026, during bilateral talks with the Chief of Land Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, Major General Fadhil Omary Nondo, on the sidelines of the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.
The COAS emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration in professional military education, intelligence sharing, joint training and exchange programmes across various military institutions, including national defence colleges.
He highlighted the Nigerian Army’s established training institutions, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Nigerian Army Resource Centre. He noted that these institutions have continued to develop highly professional military personnel for Nigeria and allied countries.
General Shaibu also underscored the Nigerian Army’s extensive operational experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, anti-banditry operations in the North-West and North-Central, as well as peace support operations across Africa and beyond. He observed that these experiences offer valuable lessons that could strengthen both armies through joint training, staff exchanges and the sharing of operational knowledge and military doctrines.
The COAS encouraged the Tanzanian Land Forces to take advantage of available training opportunities in Nigerian Army institutions and called for an expanded exchange of instructors and students to deepen professional relationships and enhance institutional capacity.
In his response, Major General Nondo commended the Nigerian Army for its operational experience, resilience and sustained efforts towards promoting peace and security across the African continent. He expressed Tanzania’s readiness to strengthen military relations with Nigeria, particularly in leadership development, professional military education and operational capacity building.
He further noted that existing exchange programmes between the command and national defence colleges of both countries had enhanced professional interaction and facilitated the sharing of experiences, expressing confidence that expanded collaboration would yield greater benefits for both armies.
The meeting underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening military partnerships across Africa through professional military education, institutional cooperation and the exchange of operational expertise in support of regional peace and security.
