By Elizabeth Tanko
Abuja Nigeria – Nigeria and Bangladesh have moved to deepen strategic defence cooperation to boost military capacity, professional military education and operational effectiveness.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Thursday, 8 October 2026, when he received the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Thursday stated, Lt. Gen. Shaibu said the Nigerian Army is ready to share operational experiences in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and drone warfare technology, as well as expertise in humanitarian management of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He directed relevant Army Headquarters departments to coordinate with defence authorities on joint training engagements and strategic frameworks to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Nigerian Army.
In a major move to institutionalise the partnership, the COAS approved the establishment of the National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association to unite Nigerian military personnel who completed strategic courses in Bangladesh.
He noted that the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division are among alumni of Bangladeshi military institutions, adding that the association will enhance collaboration, training exchanges, technical capacity and diplomatic cooperation between both armed forces.
Responding, High Commissioner Mainul Kabir expressed deep condolences to the Nigerian Army over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State and commended its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
He disclosed that 154 Nigerian officers have participated in Bangladesh National Defence College courses and advocated expanded institutional exchanges through the Foreign Service Academy and military programmes to strengthen strategic leadership capacity and bilateral cooperation.
