ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence cooperation with the Indonesian military in areas including counterinsurgency operations, technology transfer, and capacity building, as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made the commitment on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on exploring new areas of collaboration between the two militaries and strengthening existing ties.
General Shaibu noted that Nigeria and Indonesia share similar security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and maritime insecurity, and that both countries could benefit from closer cooperation in tackling these threats. He said the Nigerian Army was particularly interested in learning from Indonesia’s experience in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, given the Southeast Asian nation’s success in managing domestic security challenges.
“We have a lot to learn from Indonesia’s experience in counterinsurgency, particularly in the areas of intelligence gathering, community engagement, and the use of technology. We are committed to deepening our partnership in these areas,” Shaibu stated.
The Army Chief also expressed interest in collaboration on military hardware production and technology transfer, noting that Indonesia has developed a robust domestic defence industry. He said the Nigerian Army was exploring opportunities to partner with Indonesian defence companies in the production of military equipment, including vehicles, weapons, and communication systems.
“Nigeria is looking to reduce its dependence on foreign imports for military hardware. We are interested in partnerships that will enable us to produce some of our equipment locally. Indonesia’s experience in this regard is valuable,” he said.
Ambassador Harahap commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts in combating insurgency and terrorism in the country. He said Indonesia was ready to share its experience and expertise with Nigeria and to explore new areas of cooperation that would benefit both countries.
“Indonesia and Nigeria have a long history of cooperation, and we are committed to strengthening our defence ties. We are ready to work with the Nigerian Army in the areas of training, technology transfer, and capacity building,” the ambassador said.
He disclosed that Indonesia would be hosting a joint military exercise with Nigeria in 2027, which would bring together troops from both countries to share best practices and enhance interoperability. He also said Indonesia would be offering scholarships to Nigerian military officers to study in Indonesian military institutions.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of establishing a bilateral defence agreement between Nigeria and Indonesia, which would provide a formal framework for cooperation in defence and security matters. Both parties agreed to work towards finalising the agreement in the coming months.
The Nigerian Army has been actively seeking partnerships with friendly countries to enhance its capacity to tackle the country’s security challenges. In recent years, the Army has strengthened cooperation with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Turkey, and India, among others.
Security analysts have welcomed the deepening defence ties between Nigeria and Indonesia, noting that such partnerships are essential for addressing the complex security threats facing both countries. They, however, stressed the need for Nigeria to ensure that the partnerships are mutually beneficial and that the transfer of technology is properly managed.
“The partnership with Indonesia is a positive development. It provides an opportunity for Nigeria to learn from a country that has successfully managed its own security challenges. But we must ensure that we are not just recipients of technology but active participants in the development of our own defence capabilities,” said Dr. Bola Adeyemi, a security analyst.
As the Nigerian Army continues to strengthen its international partnerships, the focus will be on translating these collaborations into tangible improvements in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, and other security threats. For now, the message from the Army Headquarters is clear: Nigeria is open to partnerships that will enhance its national security.
