Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, focusing on counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The commitment was highlighted on Friday during a meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s defence leadership and retired General William E. Ward, the inaugural commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Speaking on behalf of Defence Minister Christopher Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, described Ward as a key figure whose tenure at AFRICOM helped shape contemporary security cooperation across the continent.
Security collaboration and modern warfare
The talks centred on expanding existing military partnerships to address evolving security threats in West Africa, with key focus areas including:
- Strategic Cooperation: Enhancing joint efforts in counter-terrorism, maritime security, logistics, and joint military training.
- Technology & AI: Integrating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and modern technology into strategic defence planning.
- Leadership Development: Preparing future military leaders for multi-domain operations and complex global security challenges.
In his remarks, General Ward commended the Nigerian defence leadership and stressed the need to align national security measures with economic development. He also highlighted the growing role of cybersecurity in modern defence architecture alongside the importance of strong social and institutional values.
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