The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with Burundi to strengthen regional security, enhance military professionalism and bolster Africa’s response to terrorism and other transnational threats.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Burundi’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Edouard Nduwimana, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The COAS described Nigeria and Burundi as long-standing partners united by shared African values and a common commitment to peace and security. He said the Nigerian Army would continue to expand cooperation through training, institutional capacity building, personnel exchange programmes and strategic exposure visits to improve the operational capabilities of both militaries.
He stressed that closer collaboration in military education, operational experience sharing and regional security initiatives is vital to tackling terrorism, violent extremism and other cross-border threats. Shaibu also commended Burundi’s progress in promoting peace, stability and national reconciliation, while calling for sustained military engagement and strategic communication to strengthen bilateral relations.
Ambassador Nduwimana conveyed the goodwill of Burundian President General Évariste Ndayishimiye and praised the Nigerian Army’s professionalism and contributions to regional peace and counter-terrorism efforts across Africa.
The ambassador sought increased access for Burundian military personnel to Nigerian military institutions through scholarships, specialised training and other capacity-building programmes. He also advocated expanded instructor exchanges, joint military exercises and closer cooperation in peace support operations and counter-terrorism to further consolidate defence ties between both countries.
