The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for the deepening of strategic engagement between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving and multifaceted security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made the call on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, when the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The COAS commended the Government of the United States for its enduring partnership and sustained support to the Nigerian Army, noting that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the professionalism and institutional capacity of the force. He revealed that he and several Principal Staff Officers are alumni of reputable United States professional military institutions, describing this as evidence of the depth and positive impact of the long-standing bilateral military relationship.
He stressed the Nigerian Army’s desire to further leverage the United States Army’s extensive experience in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, advocating expanded cooperation in areas such as operational effectiveness, institutional capacity building, doctrine development and strategic capability enhancement. According to him, strong international military partnerships are crucial to complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture and promoting sustainable peace and stability.
In her remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore expressed appreciation for the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between the two armies. She reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to strengthening existing ties and exploring new areas of collaboration, particularly in capacity building, intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
The Defence Attaché also disclosed that the United States would continue to support the Nigerian Army in key non-kinetic areas, including humanitarian assistance and troop welfare initiatives, which she said are vital to sustaining morale and enhancing operational effectiveness in the field.
