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Nigeria and Bangladesh are strengthening defence cooperation in military training, professional education and operational capacity.
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The Nigerian Army will share experience in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, drone warfare and the management of internally displaced persons.
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Army Chief Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu approved the Bangladesh alumni association to deepen institutional and training exchanges.
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Bangladesh disclosed that 154 Nigerian officers have attended courses at its National Defence College and called for expanded military and diplomatic exchanges.
October 08, (THEWILL) – Nigeria and Bangladesh are deepening strategic defence cooperation, with both countries seeking stronger military training, professional education, operational effectiveness and institutional partnerships to address shared security challenges.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Thursday when he received the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, who paid a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was ready to share its operational experience with the Bangladesh Armed Forces, particularly in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, drone warfare technology and the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons.
He directed relevant departments at Army Headquarters to engage with appropriate defence authorities on joint training programmes and strategic frameworks aimed at improving the combat capabilities and professional capacity of the Nigerian Army.
The Army Chief also approved the establishment of the National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association, an initiative designed to bring together Nigerian military personnel who have completed strategic courses in Bangladesh.
Shaibu noted that the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division are among Nigerian military officers who have undergone training at Bangladeshi military institutions.
According to him, the alumni association would provide an institutional platform for strengthening military-to-military relations, training exchanges, technical cooperation and broader diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The initiative is expected to further consolidate existing links between the Nigerian and Bangladeshi armed forces, while creating opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and experience in strategic leadership and modern military operations.
Responding, Kabir expressed condolences to the Nigerian Army over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The Bangladeshi envoy also commended the contributions of the Nigerian military to United Nations peacekeeping operations, highlighting the country’s longstanding participation in international efforts to promote peace and security.
Kabir disclosed that 154 Nigerian military officers had participated in courses at the Bangladesh National Defence College.
He advocated expanded institutional exchanges involving military training institutions and foreign service academies, saying such engagements would strengthen strategic leadership capacity and further deepen bilateral relations.
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Background
Nigeria and Bangladesh have maintained defence and diplomatic relations through military training, professional exchanges, and international peacekeeping engagements.Â
The latest discussions point to an effort to broaden those links beyond individual training programmes into more structured institutional cooperation.
For Nigeria, the proposed exchanges come amid sustained efforts to improve military capacity against terrorism and insurgency, while strengthening expertise in emerging areas such as unmanned aerial systems and strategic military planning.
The planned alumni association and proposed expansion of training exchanges could therefore provide a formal platform for officers trained in Bangladesh to maintain professional links and facilitate further cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
