ABUJA, NIGERIA — APRIL 30, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with global institutions to enhance national security.
Shaibu made this known on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, while receiving a delegation led by Randolph Charles Kent at Army Headquarters in Abuja. The collaboration involves institutions such as King’s College London and is facilitated through the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC).
The Army Chief described the six-year partnership as a strategic enabler for building intellectual capacity, leadership development, and operational effectiveness within the force. He noted that the initiative has expanded access to world-class military education, contributing to the Army’s goal of becoming a more professional, adaptive, and combat-ready institution.
According to him, modern security challenges demand forward-looking strategies rooted in collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing. He highlighted the role of NARC as a key think tank in generating policy-relevant ideas and fostering inter-agency cooperation to address Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
Shaibu also drew attention to emerging threats within the digital information ecosystem, warning of the growing impact of information warfare and malign influence operations on national security and internal stability. He called for deeper academic and institutional collaboration to examine these risks and develop research-driven solutions.
In his remarks, Kent commended the Nigerian Army for its commitment to sustained partnership, noting that initiatives such as the African Leadership Centre thrive on mutual knowledge exchange and shared expertise. He added that such collaborations are essential in addressing global uncertainties and strengthening collective responses to complex security challenges.
The engagement underscores the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to leverage international partnerships in tackling contemporary security threats and enhancing operational readiness.
