Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, calls for closer cooperation among African militaries to confront terrorism, insurgency, and other transnational security threats. Shaibu makes the appeal during the Third African Land Forces Forum, held in Port Harcourt as part of Nigeria’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026. According to a statement cited by Nigerian Eye, the forum brings together army chiefs and defence representatives from 17 African nations, aiming to strengthen regional unity and improve collective responses to common threats.
All reports say the forum functions as a platform for dialogue, sharing operational experience, and building strategic alliances. Shaibu also links the effort to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism approach, stressing the need for flexible strategies, effective air power, and rigorous troop training, alongside regional partnerships. He highlights Nigeria’s role in regional security and praises the Multinational Joint Task Force for actions that weaken insurgent groups and help reclaim areas in the Lake Chad Basin.
The reports also note that the event includes exhibitions of defence technologies and locally developed innovations, intended to support capacity building and knowledge sharing.
