Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the country’s military cooperation with the United States does not involve plans to establish an American military base in Nigeria. According to the military authority, the collaboration is strictly focused on training, intelligence sharing, and improving operational capacity.
The clarification was made by Major General Samson M. Uba, Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, during an X (formerly Twitter) Space discussion on Thursday. He addressed growing public concerns regarding the nature of the security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
Uba explained that the cooperation is a bilateral effort designed to strengthen Nigeria’s security capabilities through professional military training and operational support. He said the initiative aims to improve the effectiveness, professionalism, and technical capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to him, the partnership focuses on professional development, operational efficiency, intelligence exchange, and technical collaboration. These measures, he noted, are intended to equip Nigerian troops with the knowledge and skills required to tackle modern security threats.
“The partnership between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States does not imply the establishment of a U.S. military base in Nigeria,” Uba stated. “It is purely about training, operational development, and intelligence sharing.”
He further explained that Nigeria maintains similar defence partnerships with several other countries as part of efforts to strengthen military professionalism and improve responses to emerging security challenges.
Such collaborations, he said, often include joint military exercises, knowledge-sharing programmes, and technical assistance. These initiatives help expose Nigerian military personnel to global best practices and advanced operational techniques.
Uba also highlighted the importance of international cooperation as Nigeria continues to confront various security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other forms of transnational crime. According to him, partnerships with foreign allies play a critical role in improving intelligence gathering, refining operational strategies, and enhancing coordination among security agencies.
Despite these collaborations, the Defence Headquarters emphasised that Nigeria’s sovereignty remains fully protected. Uba assured that all international defence engagements are conducted in line with the country’s national interests and that the Nigerian government retains complete control over its defence policies and military operations.
“There are no plans whatsoever for the establishment of any foreign military base in Nigeria,” he concluded.
