Nigeria's Army Chief, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for deeper regional security cooperation and stronger defence partnerships among Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states. He made this call on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Staff, ECOWAS Standby Force, Brigadier General Sheik Massaquoi, and his delegation to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Shaibu stressed that contemporary and emerging security threats require greater collaboration among countries in the region.
The increasingly complex and interconnected nature of security threats, such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and other cross-border threats, cannot be effectively tackled by individual countries acting alone. Shaibu urged military leaders across the region to draw on their collective professional expertise and operational experience to develop practical strategies for confronting emerging threats. He also called for sustained military-to-military cooperation through regular dialogue, intelligence sharing, joint training and exercises.
According to Shaibu, such measures would enhance interoperability, operational readiness, and the ability of regional forces to plan and respond collectively to security challenges. The Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to Nigeria's regional security obligations and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the ECOWAS security architecture. This commitment is in line with Nigeria's longstanding contributions to peacekeeping, regional security, and defence cooperation in West Africa.
Earlier, Massaquoi thanked the Nigerian Army for its support and acknowledged Nigeria's contributions to regional security. He called for the strengthening of the ECOWAS Standby Force into a more proactive, interoperable, and responsive regional security capability capable of addressing evolving threats. Massaquoi identified updated military doctrines, enhanced joint training and exercises, and stronger defence partnerships among member states as critical to achieving this objective.
Massaquoi also solicited Nigeria's continued support to enhance the operational effectiveness of the ECOWAS Standby Force and strengthen its capacity to support collective security, peace, and stability across the subregion. The ECOWAS Standby Force plays a crucial role in promoting regional security and stability. Its effectiveness is vital in addressing the security challenges facing the region.
The Nigerian Army's commitment to regional security is reflected in its participation in peacekeeping missions and defence cooperation initiatives. The Army has been actively involved in various peacekeeping missions, demonstrating its dedication to promoting peace and stability in the region. The Army's efforts are in line with its professional obligations and its role in maintaining national and regional security.
The call for deeper regional defence partnerships and stronger cooperation among ECOWAS member states highlights the need for a collective approach to addressing security challenges. The complexities of modern security threats require a collaborative effort from regional countries to develop effective strategies for confronting emerging threats. The Nigerian Army's commitment to regional security and its efforts to strengthen defence partnerships will continue to play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army Chief, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, calls for stronger defence partnerships among ECOWAS member states to address security threats.
