By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Swiss government have pledged to strengthen existing defence relations, with a renewed focus on non-kinetic partnerships aimed at promoting peace and stability.
This commitment was reaffirmed when the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Felix Egloff, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Egloff restated Switzerland’s readiness to expand diplomatic and defence cooperation with Nigeria, particularly through non-military approaches to security challenges.
He explained that Switzerland is interested in supporting initiatives centred on humanitarian engagement, dialogue and development efforts that address the underlying causes of insecurity.
The envoy stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between both nations, noting that institutional partnerships and peacebuilding initiatives remain critical to long-term stability.
In his response, General Oluyede welcomed the ambassador and expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s continued interest in Nigeria’s security and development.
He acknowledged Switzerland’s contributions to non-kinetic efforts and described such cooperation as vital in complementing ongoing military operations.
The Defence Chief also expressed optimism that Nigeria-Switzerland relations would grow stronger, yielding more meaningful outcomes in areas of mutual interest, particularly peacebuilding and strategic cooperation.
The meeting highlights the shared commitment of both countries to constructive engagement and collaborative approaches to security.
