The Nigerian Army and the military of the Republic of Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation in areas such as military training, operational effectiveness and institutional capacity development.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Thursday while receiving the Defence Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy to Nigeria, Colonel Aslam Setiawan, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The meeting comes amid efforts by the Nigerian Army to expand its operational capabilities and international partnerships.
The Army is currently undergoing a major expansion from eight to 12 divisions as part of measures to enhance its capacity to address evolving security challenges across the country.
Shaibu described the longstanding defence relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia as mutually beneficial, particularly in professional military education, exchange of operational experience and participation in multinational exercises.
He stressed that sustained military-to-military engagement is critical to building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force.
The Army Chief called for deeper collaboration in counterinsurgency operations, emerging technologies and other areas of mutual military interest, noting that increased exchange of expertise and technology would improve situational awareness, operational planning and battlefield effectiveness.
He added that the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army would require corresponding investments in infrastructure, training, technology and institutional support.
Earlier, Setiawan reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defence relations with Nigeria, noting that professional exchanges and multinational exercises, including Exercise Super Garuda Shield, provide opportunities to enhance interoperability, share operational experience and improve the capacity of both armies to address contemporary security challenges.
