Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has called for expanded training and professional exchanges between the Nigerian Army and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force.
He made the call on Monday, 26 October 2026, during talks with the Chief of Land Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, Major General Fadhil Omary Nondo, on the sidelines of the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.
General Shaibu said cooperation in professional military education, intelligence sharing, joint training and personnel exchanges could help both armies address Africa’s security challenges.
He outlined the Nigerian Army’s training institutions, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command, and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. He said these institutions train military personnel from Nigeria and allied countries.
The COAS also pointed to the Nigerian Army’s experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, anti-banditry operations in the North-West and North-Central, and peace support missions in Africa and beyond. He said joint training and staff exchanges would give both armies opportunities to share operational experience and military doctrine.
General Shaibu encouraged the Tanzanian Land Forces to make use of training opportunities at Nigerian Army institutions. He also proposed increasing exchanges of instructors and students.
Major General Nondo commended the Nigerian Army’s operational experience and its contribution to peace and security in Africa. He said Tanzania was ready to expand military cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in leadership development, professional military education and operational capacity building.
He added that existing exchanges between the countries’ command and national defence colleges had strengthened professional ties and enabled personnel to share experience. He said broader cooperation would benefit both armies.
The meeting forms part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to build military partnerships across Africa through education, institutional cooperation and the exchange of operational expertise.
