The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger military cooperation between African countries to tackle growing security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime.
Shaibu made the call on Monday, October 26, 2026, during bilateral military talks with the Commander of the Zambia Army, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, on the sidelines of the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Nigerian Army chief emphasised the need for African countries to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint training and coordinated military operations to address emerging threats.
Shaibu noted that the growing challenges of terrorism, insurgency, transnational organised crime and unconstitutional changes of government required a united and coordinated response from African nations.
He stressed that no country could effectively tackle the threats in isolation, calling for sustained collaboration among African armed forces to strengthen regional security.
The COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening military-to-military relations with Zambia and other African partners, particularly in counter-terrorism operations, peace support missions, professional military training and capacity development.
Zambia Pledges Deeper Military Cooperation
In his response, Zambian Army Commander, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, commended the Nigerian Army for its contributions to regional security and its efforts to combat terrorism.
Zyeele expressed Zambia’s readiness to strengthen military cooperation with Nigeria, noting the importance of collaboration in improving operational effectiveness and advancing shared security interests.
The discussions focused on opportunities for both armies to enhance professional exchanges, build operational capacity and develop stronger partnerships in responding to security threats affecting the continent.
AFRIDEX Provides Platform for Defence Partnerships
The bilateral meeting formed part of Shaibu’s engagements at AFRIDEX 2026, which brought together African military leaders, defence industry stakeholders and strategic partners to explore opportunities for defence cooperation, technological advancement and collective responses to emerging security challenges.
The engagement underscores the importance of regional partnerships in addressing security threats that increasingly transcend national borders.
The Nigerian Army said the discussions reflected its commitment to strengthening relations with African military institutions and promoting collaborative approaches to continental security
