Nigeria and Bangladesh are strengthening their military training partnership, with 154 Nigerian military officers having so far participated in strategic courses at Bangladesh’s National Defence College.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Kabir called for greater institutional exchanges between the two countries, particularly through foreign service academies and military training programmes.
He said expanding the partnership would help strengthen strategic leadership and provide opportunities for both countries to share professional knowledge and military expertise.
Responding, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was ready to share its operational experience with Bangladesh in areas including counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, drone warfare technology and the humanitarian management of internally displaced persons.
The Army Chief directed relevant departments at Army Headquarters to work with Bangladeshi defence authorities on joint training programmes and strategic frameworks aimed at improving the capabilities of both armed forces.
As part of the effort to sustain the relationship, Shaibu also approved the establishment of a National Defence College Bangladesh Alumni Association in Nigeria.
The association is expected to bring together Nigerian military personnel who have completed strategic courses in Bangladesh and provide a platform for continued professional engagement and institutional cooperation.
Shaibu noted that senior Nigerian military officers, including the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, had attended military institutions in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner also expressed condolences to Nigeria over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State and commended the country for its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The latest engagement builds on existing defence ties between Nigeria and Bangladesh, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation in military education, strategic leadership, technical capabilities and operational expertise
