UK, Nigerian Army, agree to work together

The British government and the Nigerian Army (NA) have shown willingness to deepen cooperation in the areas of equipment procurement and personnel training.

The United Kingdom’s (UK) Minister of State for Armed Forces and Veterans, Mr. James Steven Heappey, and his entourage were met in audience by Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), today at Army Headquarters in Abuja, leading to the resolution.

According to the COAS, the partnership will give the NA access to the British Army’s wealth of experience and knowledge in a variety of fields, including intelligence, peacekeeping, logistics, and counterterrorism. The Chief of Army Staff further asserted that the Nigerian Army’s operational efficiency and effectiveness in tackling present and future security problems in the nation and the sub-region will be enhanced by the partnership’s procurement of high-quality equipment and technology.

Respected for their friendly relationship, the COAS noted that the two countries worked closely together to train staff in British institutions and to combat insurgency and other types of insecurity.

The NA will maintain the partnership, particularly in the training domain, he said, adding that it will work with the British Army to advance Nigerian-British interests throughout the West African region. He also conveyed gratitude for the support of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT).

Earlier in his speech, Mr. James Steven Heappey, the UK’s Minister of State for Veterans and Armed Forces, praised the UK’s connection with the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army would have excellent opportunity to learn new technologies, skills, and information from its British counterpart, he said.

He emphasised that the knowledge sharing will grow the Nigerian Army’s capacity and professionalism, making it a more capable and equipped military in the long run.