By Harriet Tornguvan
Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening security cooperation along their shared southern border, in a move expected to enhance regional stability and address emerging security threats in the Gulf of Guinea and surrounding areas.
The agreement was signed in Yaoundé by Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), and Cameroon's Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, following two days of high level deliberations involving defence and security experts from both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the pact establishes a modernised framework for bilateral cooperation in securing both terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria-Cameroon southern border.
The statement noted that the agreement reinforces the long-standing defence relationship between the neighbouring countries while providing new mechanisms to tackle evolving security challenges.
Key areas of cooperation under the MoU include enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened collective responses to security threats.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, General Musa said the agreement would provide a structured framework for military cooperation and joint operations between Nigeria and Cameroon.
He stressed that the pact would further institutionalise collaboration in addressing common security concerns and contribute significantly to regional peace and stability.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of operationalising the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which both countries view as a strategic platform for improving maritime security and protecting economic interests within the Gulf of Guinea.
On defence industrial cooperation, Musa reiterated Nigeria's commitment to deepening partnerships in defence technology and innovation. He noted that limited indigenous production of military hardware has remained a major challenge to Africa's defence capability development.
The minister urged stronger regional industrial partnerships and pointed to opportunities available through Nigeria's Defence Industries Corporation framework, expressing readiness to collaborate in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development.
Responding, Cameroon's Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, expressed his country's interest in advancing cooperation in defence technology and innovation. He disclosed that a formal proposal framework was being finalised to translate the bilateral understanding into concrete arrangements in defence technology.
Observers say the agreement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria -Cameroon relations and underscores both nations' commitment to safeguarding regional sovereignty, promoting sustainable peace, and enhancing collective security through strategic defence cooperation.
