African army chiefs vow to strengthen continental security cooperation

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has convened African army chiefs and key defence stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a move aimed at strengthening security cooperation across the continent.

The Third African Land Forces Forum, held in conjunction with the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026, brought together army chiefs from Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe, among other participating countries.

Speaking at the opening of the forum on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Shaibu described it as a great honour for Nigeria to host military leaders from across Africa, saying their presence reflects a shared commitment to deepen unity, strengthen collective security and promote lasting peace on the continent.

The COAS said integrating the African Land Forces Forum into NADCEL 2026 provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the Nigerian Army’s legacy while building stronger partnerships with regional and continental allies.

“The Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, has evolved into one of Africa’s most capable land forces, while NADCEL, first observed in 1978, remains a solemn tribute to our fallen heroes and a reaffirmation of the Army’s enduring commitment to professionalism, discipline and national service,” he said.

According to him, the forum was conceived as a strategic platform to promote dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of experiences among African armies.

“Its core objective is to strengthen interoperability, build enduring partnerships and develop coordinated responses to common threats such as terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime,” he added.

Shaibu stressed that Africa’s security challenges are becoming increasingly complex and transnational, requiring collective action that goes beyond national boundaries.

Drawing from Nigeria’s experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups, he said adaptive strategies, intensive training, effective deployment of air power and the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force have contributed significantly to degrading insurgent capabilities and reclaiming territories in the Lake Chad Basin.

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