Rwanda and Nigeria have pledged to strengthen their military cooperation, with a focus on training, exchanges of instructors and technical expertise in military equipment.
The commitment was made during a meeting between Nigerian Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu and senior Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) officials in Kigali on October 20, 2026.
Shaibu is in Rwanda for a five-day working visit running from October 18 to 23.
He first held talks with RDF Chief of Defence Staff General MK Mubaraka Muganga before meeting Rwanda’s Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.
Discussions focused on strengthening existing military ties and exploring defence and security issues of mutual interest to both countries.
Speaking to the media after the meetings, Shaibu said the visit was intended to reinforce the longstanding partnership between the two armed forces.
“As an outcome of today’s discussions, we have committed to further strengthening key strategies for implementing the various existing bilateral cooperation agreements in areas such as training, the exchange of instructors and experts in military equipment,” he said.
During the visit, Shaibu and his delegation also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. They also toured the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, which documents the military campaign to stop the genocide.
The visit underlines continued efforts by Rwanda and Nigeria to strengthen military relations and expand cooperation in areas of shared interest.
