The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation with France following the successful conclusion of the Fifth Nigeria–France High Defence Staff Talks held in Abuja.
The two-day strategic engagement, which took place from June 29 to 30, 2026, brought together senior military officials from both countries to strengthen bilateral defence relations and enhance collaboration in addressing emerging security challenges.
Representing the CDS at the closing session, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, Chief of Defence Training, described the talks as a significant platform for consolidating the longstanding strategic partnership between Nigeria and France. He also conveyed the appreciation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the French delegation for honouring the invitation to participate in the high-level meeting.
General Oluyede noted that the High Defence Staff Talks have become a vital mechanism for promoting bilateral military cooperation through strategic dialogue, joint training, intelligence sharing, capacity building, and other collaborative initiatives.
He stressed that the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France reflects a shared commitment to advancing regional and global peace and security. The CDS expressed confidence that the outcomes of the discussions would further strengthen professional ties, foster lasting friendships between personnel of both armed forces, and expand existing areas of defence cooperation for mutual benefit.
Leading the French delegation, Lieutenant General Eric Peltier thanked the Armed Forces of Nigeria for hosting the meeting and reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening defence collaboration through sustained strategic dialogue aimed at addressing evolving regional security threats.
Peltier described Nigeria as a leading power in Africa with a pivotal role in maintaining regional stability and security. He commended the country’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the regional security environment, noting that such expertise remains invaluable in building a stronger and more productive defence partnership between both nations.
He added that the high-level engagement provided an opportunity to identify new areas of cooperation while reinforcing existing defence relations through closer collaboration among relevant military institutions. He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce tangible outcomes and mark another significant milestone in the growing partnership between Nigeria and France.
The Fifth Nigeria–France High Defence Staff Talks highlighted the expanding strategic relationship between the two countries, driven by evolving security, geopolitical, economic and regional realities, while reaffirming their shared resolve to promote peace, stability and collective security.
