Nigeria's CDS Advocates Military Partnerships for Peace

General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), called for sustained military-to-military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships to enhance operational effectiveness and promote regional and global peace and stability. This statement was made during high-level diplomatic and bilateral engagements at the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.

Major General Samaila Uba, Director Defence Information, reported that these engagements aimed to strengthen Nigeria's global defence partnerships. The CDS met with delegations including the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Mr Michał Cygan, and military representatives from Italy, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM).

Discussions focused on collaboration in defence technology, equipment acquisition, and capacity development. The engagement with General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of US AFRICOM, emphasized sustaining the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States.