Nigerian Army chief visits Kagame to strengthen Nigeria-Rwanda defence ties
The Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the President of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, in Kigali, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence relations and advance African-led responses to evolving security threats. The COAS conveyed the goodwill of […] Nigerian Army chief visits Kagame to…
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Nigerian Army Chief of Army Staff, paid a courtesy visit to Rwanda's President Paul Kagame in Kigali. This visit aimed to strengthen bilateral defence relations and tackle African security challenges. Shaibu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's goodwill and expressed gratitude for Rwanda's warm hospitality.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, relayed that Shaibu praised Rwanda's progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, emphasizing lessons in national reconstruction and social cohesion. He also acknowledged Rwanda's sacrifices, particularly of 600 personnel from the 3rd Battalion during the liberation struggle.
Shaibu highlighted leadership, discipline, and national resolve as crucial in overcoming complex security threats across Africa. The visit was part of broader efforts to strengthen military ties between Nigeria and Rwanda to combat terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational security threats. During his stay, Shaibu engaged with Rwanda's Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and Army Chief of Staff, discussing professional military exchanges and opportunities for cooperation.
He commended Rwanda's indigenous engineering and manufacturing capabilities, seeing potential for defence modernisation and national self-reliance. Shaibu expressed interest in technical exchanges, collaborative research, knowledge transfer, and defence manufacturing partnerships to bolster Nigeria's indigenous production, equipment maintenance, and technical support.
These engagements underscore the Nigerian Army's commitment to building practical partnerships that enhance military capacity, interoperability, and collective responses to regional insecurity. Shaibu reiterated the Nigerian Army's dedication to working with the Rwanda Defence Force through specialized training, professional exchanges, joint exercises, and defence technology cooperation.
He stressed that sustained cooperation, mutual trust, and shared responsibility among African nations are essential to counter cross-border threats, safeguard national interests, and maintain regional peace and stability.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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