The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening strategic defence cooperation with the United Kingdom as a critical component of ongoing efforts to build a more adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of responding effectively to evolving national and regional security threats.
A statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele Acting Director Army Public Relations said the partnership, he noted, remains central to strengthening operational effectiveness, force protection, intelligence capabilities, specialised training and institutional capacity.
The COAS stated this on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, when he received the British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Tom Harper, MBE, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja. Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that sustained engagement with trusted international partners remains essential to accelerating the transformation drive of the Nigerian Army, particularly in the areas of capability development, professional military education, technology integration and the adoption of contemporary approaches to countering asymmetric threats.
The COAS identified asymmetric warfare and operations in dense and difficult terrain, particularly in the North East, as significant operational challenges requiring enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, technical intelligence, aviation capability and round-the-clock domain awareness down to battalion level. He further highlighted the expansion of the Nigerian Army from 8 to 12 divisions, stressing that the growth would require corresponding investments in advanced training, instructor development and Special Forces capabilities, including enhanced capacity at the Doma training facility. He also underscored efforts to institutionalised operational lessons and preserve military heritage through the integration of historic campaigns, such as the Longest Advance, into command curricula and the digitisation of military archives.
In response, Brigadier Harper outlined the United Kingdom’s continued commitment under the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen operational and institutional capacity. He disclosed plans to expand regional train-the-trainer programmes covering combat tactical drills, casualty care and advanced patrolling, with future Operation HADIN KAI training cohorts expected to include personnel from Niger, Cameroon and Chad alongside Nigerian troops. The initiative, he noted, would further promote interoperability and strengthen collective regional capacity against shared security threats.
The British Defence Adviser also highlighted proposed UK support for the establishment of a reference Forward Operating Base within a cantonment environment, the provision of counter-unmanned aerial systems and the expansion of tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities to brigade level. Discussions further covered defence procurement and capability development, including air defence systems, potential transfers of protected mobility vehicles and specialised ammunition support, reflecting a broader partnership focused on equipping the Nigerian Army to anticipate, deter and decisively respond to emerging threats.
