The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to expanding defence collaboration aimed at strengthening regional peace, enhancing military professionalism and improving Africa’s collective response to terrorism and other transnational security threats.
The commitment was made when the COAS received the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to Nigeria, His Excellency Edouard Nduwimana, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu described Nigeria and Burundi as longstanding partners united by shared African values, mutual respect and a common commitment to continental peace and security.
The Army Chief said the Nigerian Army would continue to broaden military cooperation through expanded training opportunities, institutional capacity development, personnel exchange programmes and strategic exposure visits designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of both armed forces.
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He noted that sustained collaboration in military education, operational experience sharing and regional security initiatives remains critical to confronting terrorism, violent extremism and other emerging cross-border threats.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also commended Burundi’s progress in promoting peace, stability and national reconciliation, stressing that regular military engagements and strategic communication remain essential to deepening bilateral defence relations and reinforcing mutual confidence between both countries.
In his remarks, Ambassador Edouard Nduwimana conveyed the goodwill of the President of the Republic of Burundi, General Évariste Ndayishimiye, while commending the Nigerian Army for its professionalism, operational achievements and contributions to regional peace, counter-terrorism operations and security across Africa.
The Ambassador requested expanded access for Burundian military personnel to Nigerian military institutions through scholarships, specialised training and other capacity-building initiatives.
He also advocated broader instructor exchange programmes, joint military exercises and closer cooperation in peace support operations and counter-terrorism, describing them as important steps towards consolidating the longstanding defence partnership between both countries.
