Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau Deepen Military Cooperation as COAS Rallies Unified Front Against Continental Threats

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reinforced Nigeria's leadership in regional security by holding high-level talks with Major General Tomas Djass, the Chief of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau. The discussions in Port Harcourt focused on enhancing military cooperation to counter evolving security challenges across West Africa.

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The Nigerian Army’s pivotal role not only in the regional security architecture but also in supporting democratic processes through stability operations, civil-military cooperation, and adherence to constitutional responsibilities.

Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasized the critical need for sustained collaboration among West African militaries to combat transnational threats, bolster institutional capacity, and promote enduring peace. He highlighted the Nigerian Army's significant role in the regional security architecture and its support for democratic processes through stability operations and adherence to constitutional responsibilities. Nigeria's experience in counter-terrorism and multinational engagements positions it as a key anchor for collective security in the sub-region.

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Nigeria’s experience in counter-terrorism, peace support operations and multinational engagements positions it as a critical anchor in fostering collective security across West Africa.

Major General Djass commended the Nigerian Army's professionalism and leadership in regional peace and security efforts. He expressed Guinea-Bissau's readiness to deepen cooperation through knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and capacity-building programs. This bilateral meeting underscores Nigeria's commitment to strengthening strategic alliances and promoting regional stability.

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Guinea-Bissau’s readiness to deepen cooperation through knowledge exchange, joint initiatives and capacity-building programmes.

In parallel, Lieutenant General Shaibu convened the Third African Land Forces Forum in Port Harcourt, bringing together African Army Chiefs and defense stakeholders. This forum, held alongside the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026, aims to strengthen continental security cooperation. Shaibu welcomed military leaders from Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, noting their shared resolve to deepen unity and enhance collective security across the continent.

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Their presence underscores a shared resolve to deepen unity, enhance collective security and promote lasting peace across the continent.