Odita Sunday 
Nigeria, Indonesia Move to Deepen Defence Cooperation, Enhance Military Capacity
By Odita Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for expanded defence cooperation between Nigeria and Indonesia, particularly in counterinsurgency, emerging technologies, professional military training and operational experience, to strengthen the capacity of both countries’ armed forces.
Shaibu made the call on Thursday, when he received the Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, Colonel Aslam Setiawan, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening defence relations with the Indonesian military to enhance operational effectiveness, professional development and institutional capacity.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described the longstanding defence relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia as mutually beneficial, particularly in professional military education, the exchange of operational experience and participation in multinational exercises.
He noted that sustained military-to-military engagement remained essential to building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats.
The Army chief advocated increased collaboration in counterinsurgency operations, emerging technologies and other areas of mutual military interest, stressing that greater exchanges of expertise and technology could improve situational awareness, operational planning and battlefield effectiveness.
Shaibu also highlighted the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, noting that the development would require corresponding investments in infrastructure, training, technology and institutional support.
According to him, such investments would be necessary to enhance the Army’s capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
Earlier, Colonel Aslam Setiawan reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defence relations with Nigeria.
Setiawan said professional exchanges and multinational military exercises, including Exercise Super Garuda Shield, offered valuable opportunities to improve interoperability, share operational experience and strengthen the capacity of both armies to respond to contemporary security challenges.
The Defence Attaché’s visit forms part of ongoing military-to-military engagements aimed at consolidating cooperation between Nigeria and Indonesia in defence training, operational readiness and institutional development.
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