The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday received the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, as both countries moved to deepen defence collaboration aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s security capabilities.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended France for its ongoing support to the Nigerian Army, particularly in intelligence sharing, professional military training, and operational readiness. He emphasized that sustained bilateral partnerships are crucial in addressing security challenges across the region.
“The Nigerian Army is committed to continuous professional development and capacity building, and partnerships like this are vital to improving our operational effectiveness,” the COAS said.
Colonel Useo praised the Nigerian Army’s resilience in confronting emerging security threats, highlighting successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin. He advocated for expanded access to strategic military courses in Public Relations and Aviation and commended the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information as one of Africa’s leading institutions in civil-military affairs and information management.
He reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening defence cooperation, describing the partnership as mutually beneficial and essential for regional stability.
The high-level meeting focused on enhancing operational cooperation between the Nigerian Army and French Armed Forces to respond more effectively to evolving security challenges.
