By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has advocated the deepening of strategic engagement between the Nigerian Army (NA) and the United States Army to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving and complex security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made the call when the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The Army Chief commended the Government of the United States for its long-standing partnership and sustained support to the Nigerian Army, noting that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the professionalism and institutional capacity of the force.
He disclosed that both himself and several principal staff officers are alumni of reputable United States professional military institutions, underscoring the depth and positive impact of the bilateral military relationship.
According to the COAS, the Nigerian Army is eager to further leverage the extensive experience of the United States Army in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. He therefore called for expanded areas of cooperation focused on improving operational effectiveness, institutional development, doctrine formulation and overall strategic capability.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also stressed that international military partnerships remain vital in complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture, adding that such collaborations are critical to promoting sustainable peace and stability across the country.
In her remarks, the United States Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, expressed appreciation for the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between the two armies.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to strengthening existing ties while exploring new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in capacity building, intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
Lieutenant Colonel Moore further revealed that the United States would continue to support the Nigerian Army in key non-kinetic areas, including humanitarian assistance and troop welfare initiatives, which she described as essential to maintaining morale and operational effectiveness of troops in the field.
