The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger military collaboration among African nations to tackle terrorism, insurgency and other transnational security threats confronting the continent.
Shaibu made the call on Sunday in Port Harcourt during the opening of the Third African Land Forces Forum, held as part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
Welcoming military leaders and defence stakeholders from across Africa, the Army Chief described the gathering as a demonstration of the continent’s collective commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation and promoting lasting peace.
The forum attracted army chiefs and senior military representatives from Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
According to Shaibu, integrating the African Land Forces Forum into this year’s NADCEL provides an opportunity not only to celebrate the Nigerian Army’s history and achievements but also to deepen partnerships with regional and continental allies.
He recalled that the Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, has evolved into one of Africa’s leading land forces, while the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, first observed in 1978, remains a tribute to fallen heroes and a reaffirmation of the Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline and national service.
The COAS explained that the African Land Forces Forum was created to promote dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of operational experiences among African armies.
He said the platform is designed to strengthen interoperability, foster enduring partnerships and develop coordinated responses to common security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime.
Shaibu noted that Africa’s evolving security landscape requires collective action beyond national borders, stressing that no single country can effectively confront emerging threats in isolation.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups, he said adaptive operational strategies, intensive troop training, effective deployment of air power and collaboration through the Multinational Joint Task Force have significantly weakened insurgent groups and helped reclaim territories in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Army Chief also disclosed that the forum would feature exhibitions showcasing modern defence technologies, indigenous military innovations and advanced equipment aimed at promoting capability development, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships among participating countries.
He urged delegates to take full advantage of the forum to strengthen cooperation, exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to the continent’s shared security challenges.
Shaibu assured participants of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing collective security interests and expressed confidence that the deliberations would produce actionable outcomes capable of enhancing peace, stability and security across Africa.
