Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence and security cooperation following a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, to the Defence Headquarters.
The visit, which took place on Wednesday, provided an opportunity for both countries to explore additional areas of military-to-military cooperation and strengthen existing institutional ties.
Receiving the Saudi envoy, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed appreciation for the visit and underscored Nigeria’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
General Oluyede stressed the importance of sustaining and expanding existing channels of cooperation, particularly in areas that would enhance the professional capacity and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian military.
In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Balawi described Nigeria as an important partner in Africa and expressed the Kingdom’s readiness to deepen its engagement with the country, particularly in the defence and security sectors.
He said stronger institutional and professional relationships between the armed forces of both countries would contribute to improved collaboration in tackling common security challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff also appreciated the Saudi government for its continued goodwill towards Nigeria, expressing optimism that the discussions would translate into tangible areas of cooperation.
The visit further underscored the shared commitment of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to advancing bilateral relations and promoting peace, security and stability.
