The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Shahir Shamsad Mirza, on Wednesday, visited Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, as part of efforts to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.
During the high-level meeting, General Musa welcomed the Pakistani Defence Chief and commended the enduring partnership between the Nigerian Armed Forces and their Pakistani counterparts. He described the visit as a testament to the deepening strategic relationship between both nations.
The Nigerian CDS reiterated the military’s commitment to continued capacity development through international partnerships, especially with Pakistan. He noted that the collaboration has already resulted in the training of over 2,000 Nigerian military officers in various Pakistani defence institutions.
General Musa further emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation in areas such as Special Forces training, management of veterans’ affairs, border security, and intelligence sharing.
In his remarks, General Shamsad Mirza praised Nigeria’s Armed Forces for their sustained efforts in counterterrorism operations and addressing other security threats. He also highlighted the mutual respect and shared values between Nigeria and Pakistan, pointing to similarities in culture, religion, and diversity.
Describing Nigeria as a giant and influential player on the African continent, General Mirza said Nigeria holds significant geo-strategic importance to Pakistan. He expressed optimism about deepening defence industry collaborations, particularly with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The visit further consolidated the existing military partnership between the two nations, with prospects for expanded cooperation in training, logistics, and defence production.
