The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has proposed military cadet exchanges, expanded counterterrorism training and defence-industry collaboration between Nigeria and Rwanda to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and enhance regional security.
The proposals were made on Monday, 19 October 2026, during his official working visit to Rwanda. They include sending two Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) cadets to the Rwanda Military Academy for a four-year training programme, providing reciprocal training opportunities for Rwandan cadets, and fostering collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and relevant Rwandan institutions to boost indigenous defence production.
During discussions with the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, Lieutenant General Shaibu proposed expanding personnel exchanges and pre-deployment training for peace support operations through the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC). He said the Nigerian Army would begin arrangements for the proposed cadet training programme to strengthen existing cooperation between the two armies.
The COAS identified logistics, Military Police training and the exchange of operational experience in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency as other areas for cooperation. He said both armies could draw on their expertise to tackle emerging security threats, improve operational readiness and promote regional security and stability.
On defence production, Lieutenant General Shaibu proposed closer collaboration between DICON and Rwanda’s defence engineering and procurement institutions to promote local military equipment production, technology development and self-reliance.
He also paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, particularly the 600 personnel who defended Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He described their resilience and patriotism as enduring lessons in national resolve and military leadership.
Major General Nyakarundi commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and intelligence training to Rwandan personnel. He called for expanded professional military education through the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and National Defence College.
He welcomed the proposed cadet exchanges and defence-industry collaboration, describing the visit as a sign of growing mutual trust and professional solidarity between the two armies.
