Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has arrived in Liberia at the invitation of its Armed Forces, positioning Nigeria at the centre of a major regional military commemoration as West African states seek to reinforce professional cooperation amid evolving security pressures.
The Army Chief is participating in Liberia’s Sixty-Ninth Armed Forces Day Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, 11 February 2026, an engagement widely viewed within defence circles as both symbolic and strategic, reflecting Nigeria’s longstanding role in regional military support and post-conflict stabilisation.
On arrival in Monrovia, Lieutenant General Shaibu was received by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Major General Davidson Forley, and inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by Liberian troops, a ceremonial gesture underscoring enduring institutional ties and mutual professional respect between both armed forces. 
Beyond ceremonial engagements, the Army Chief also visited the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Liberia, where he was received by the Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Rahmat Muhammad, and commended embassy officials for their role in strengthening Nigeria–Liberia bilateral relations and safeguarding Nigerian interests in the host country.
According to a statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the visit reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment to defence diplomacy, capacity cooperation, and regional security collaboration within the West African region.
Lieutenant General Shaibu is expected to deliver a formal address during the Armed Forces Day celebrations, as Liberia marks its military heritage, operational milestones, and the role of the armed forces in national development and stability.
The engagement also carries personal and institutional significance, as the Nigerian Army Chief previously served as Military Assistant to a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia and was awarded the country’s Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his contributions to Liberia’s defence sector.