The Nigerian Army and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic defence cooperation aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security and enhancing the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made this known on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when he received the British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Tom Harper, MBE, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu said sustained cooperation with trusted international partners remained critical to the Nigerian Army’s transformation efforts, particularly in the areas of operational effectiveness, force protection, intelligence gathering, specialised training, professional military education, technology integration and institutional capacity development.
He identified asymmetric warfare and operations in dense and difficult terrain, particularly in the North-East, as major operational challenges requiring enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, technical intelligence, aviation support and round-the-clock domain awareness down to the battalion level.
The Army Chief also highlighted the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, noting that the growth would require corresponding investments in advanced training, instructor development and Special Forces capabilities.
He specifically pointed to the need to strengthen training capacity at the Doma training facility while emphasising the importance of institutionalising operational lessons and preserving the military’s heritage.
According to him, the integration of historic campaigns, including the Longest Advance, into command curricula, as well as the digitisation of military archives, would help preserve institutional knowledge and improve professional military education.
In his response, Brigadier Harper reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s continued commitment, under the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen both operational and institutional capacity.
He disclosed plans to expand regional train-the-trainer programmes covering combat tactical drills, casualty care and advanced patrolling.
Harper said future Operation HADIN KAI training cohorts were expected to include personnel from Niger, Cameroon and Chad alongside Nigerian troops, a development he said would enhance interoperability and strengthen collective regional capacity to address shared security threats.
The British Defence Adviser further 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.
The discussions also covered defence procurement and capability development, including air defence systems, potential transfers of protected mobility vehicles and specialised ammunition support.
The engagements, according to the two sides, underscore a broader defence partnership focused on equipping the Nigerian Army with the capabilities required to anticipate, deter and decisively respond to emerging national and regional security threats.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by Nigeria and the United Kingdom to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance the capacity of security forces to respond to evolving asymmetric and regional security challenges.