NADCEL 2026: Army chief urges stronger African military cooperation against security threats

By Kingsley Omonobi

PORT HARCOURT — Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger collaboration among African armies to tackle terrorism, insurgency and other transnational security threats confronting the continent.

Shaibu made the call on Sunday at the Third African Land Forces Forum, held in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.

The forum brought together army chiefs and defence representatives from Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

In his welcome address, the Chief of Army Staff said the gathering reflected a shared commitment by African nations to deepen military cooperation, enhance collective security and promote lasting peace across the continent.

He explained that the forum was established as a strategic platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of operational experiences among African armies.

According to him, the initiative aims to strengthen interoperability, build enduring partnerships and develop coordinated responses to terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime.

Shaibu noted that Africa’s security challenges have become increasingly complex and require collective action beyond national borders.

Drawing from Nigeria’s experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups, he said adaptive strategies, intensive training, effective air power and the Multinational Joint Task Force had contributed significantly to degrading insurgent capabilities and reclaiming territories in the Lake Chad Basin.

The Army Chief also disclosed that the forum would feature exhibitions of modern defence technologies, indigenous innovations and military equipment to promote capability development, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships among participating countries.

He encouraged delegates to maximise the opportunity for collaboration and expressed confidence that the discussions would produce practical outcomes that would strengthen peace and security across Africa.

Shaibu said hosting the African Land Forces Forum alongside NADCEL 2026 provided an opportunity to celebrate the Nigerian Army’s history while reinforcing military partnerships across the continent.

He noted that the Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, has grown into one of Africa’s leading land forces, while the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, first observed in 1978, remains a tribute to fallen heroes and a reaffirmation of the Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline and national service.

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