Nigerian Army Chief Calls for Enhanced ECOWAS Security Cooperation

On September 30, 2026, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, called for stronger regional security cooperation among ECOWAS member states to effectively combat emerging security threats in West Africa. This appeal was made during a courtesy visit from Brigadier General Sheik Massaquoi, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Shaibu emphasized the need for collective action against challenges like terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime, which cannot be addressed by individual nations alone. He advocated for military leaders to share expertise and engage in joint training and intelligence sharing to enhance operational readiness.

Shaibu reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to regional security obligations and support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the ECOWAS security architecture. Massaquoi acknowledged Nigeria's contributions to regional peacekeeping and called for the ECOWAS Standby Force to become more proactive and effective in addressing evolving threats.