COAS, Kagame Move to Strengthen Nigeria-Rwanda Defence Ties

Nigeria and Rwanda are working to strengthen bilateral defence relations, with discussions focusing on military training, personnel exchanges, intelligence sharing and collaboration in defence production.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made the proposals during an official working visit to Rwanda, where he met senior officers of the Rwanda Defence Force and discussed ways to improve cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

Shaibu proposed an exchange programme through which two Nigerian Defence Academy cadets would undertake a four-year training programme at the Rwanda Military Academy, with reciprocal opportunities for Rwandan cadets to receive training in Nigeria.

He also called for closer cooperation between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and relevant Rwandan institutions to promote local defence manufacturing, technology development and greater self-reliance in military equipment production.

Other areas identified for collaboration include logistics, Military Police training, pre-deployment preparation for peace support operations and the exchange of operational experience in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency.

The Nigerian Army chief said stronger military partnerships were necessary to address evolving security threats, improve operational effectiveness and strengthen the capacity of African armed forces to respond to terrorism and violent extremism.

In response, Rwanda Defence Force Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, welcomed the proposals and commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and intelligence training to Rwandan personnel.

Nyakarundi also advocated expanded professional military education through Nigerian institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and National Defence College.

The engagements formed part of Shaibu’s five-day official visit to Rwanda from October 18 to 23, 2026. During the visit, he also toured the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako and paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

The discussions are expected to support the implementation of existing bilateral agreements and expand cooperation in training, logistics and defence development, reinforcing both countries’ efforts to promote regional stability and address shared security challenges.