Nigeria, Bangladesh deepen military training cooperation

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at Army Headquarters in Abuja. Photo: Nigerian Army

A total of 154 Nigerian military officers have so far participated in strategic courses at the Bangladesh National Defence College, as Nigeria and Bangladesh move to strengthen defence and military training cooperation.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, disclosed this on Thursday according to a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle by the the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Kabir called for expanded institutional exchanges between the two countries through foreign service academies and military training programmes, saying such cooperation would help build strategic leadership capacity.

In response, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was ready to share operational expertise with Bangladesh in areas including counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, drone warfare technology and the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons.

“The initiative will enhance collaboration and institutionalize training exchanges, technical capabilities and diplomatic cooperation between both armed forces,” he said.

The Army Chief directed relevant departments at Army Headquarters to work with Bangladeshi defence authorities on joint training programmes and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening the capabilities of both armed forces.

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Shaibu also approved the establishment of a National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association in Nigeria.

The association is expected to bring together Nigerian military personnel who have completed strategic courses in Bangladesh and provide a platform for continued professional and institutional engagement.

Shaibu noted that the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division were among Nigerian officers who had attended military institutions in Bangladesh.

He said the alumni body would help institutionalise training exchanges, technical cooperation and stronger diplomatic relations between the two armed forces.

Kabir also expressed condolences over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State and commended Nigeria for its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The engagement builds on longstanding military training links between Nigeria and Bangladesh, with both sides seeking to expand cooperation in defence education, strategic leadership and operational expertise.