By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships as part of efforts to enhance national security and operational effectiveness.
Lt Gen Shaibu made this known during a meeting with a delegation from King’s College London, led by Professor Randolph Charles Kent, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS described the six year collaboration as a strategic initiative that has significantly contributed to building intellectual capacity, leadership development, and operational efficiency within the Nigerian Army.
He explained that the partnership, facilitated through the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), has broadened access to world-class military education. According to him, the initiative aligns with the Army’s vision of evolving into a more professional, adaptive, and combat-ready force capable of operating effectively within a joint and multi-agency security framework.
Lt Gen Shaibu noted that modern security challenges demand forward-looking strategies anchored on collaboration, innovation, and continuous knowledge exchange. He highlighted the critical role of NARC as a think tank in generating policy-driven insights and fostering synergy among security agencies to address Nigeria’s complex and evolving threat environment.
The Army Chief also raised concerns about the growing impact of the digital information ecosystem on national security and internal stability. He stressed the need for deeper academic and institutional collaboration to tackle emerging threats such as information warfare and malign influence operations, warning that limited control over the global information space presents significant vulnerabilities.
He called for research-driven and proactive solutions to safeguard national interests in an increasingly interconnected world.
In his remarks, Professor Kent commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained commitment to international collaboration. He noted that the Yale–NARC African Leadership Centre programme continues to thrive on mutual knowledge exchange and shared expertise.
According to him, such partnerships are crucial for navigating global uncertainties, promoting innovation, and strengthening collective capacity to respond effectively to complex security challenges.
