Badaru advocates Nigeria-Pakistan enhanced defence collaboration
By Faith AM
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities through strategic collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
He made the call on Friday during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by General Shahir Shamsad, at his office in Ship House, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Defence Minister, Mati Ali and made available to FMBlog on Friday noting that Badaru commended Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategies, describing them as cost-effective and exemplary for Nigeria to consider.
He highlighted that the enduring relationship between both nations is anchored on mutual respect, shared challenges, and aligned strategic interests.
According to him, “The history of cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan provides a solid foundation for expanding collaboration in the defence sector”, Minister Badaru stated.
He emphasised that joint efforts would not only enhance military capabilities but also promote mutual understanding and deepen trust between the two countries.
“We must engage and elevate our relationship. I advocate for partnerships without strings or coercion. Pakistan has effectively addressed the challenges of terrorism and IEDs using local technology and affordable drones”, he remarked.
Future cooperation will focus on critical areas, including drone technology and advancements within the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), aiming to boost local manufacturing capacity and innovation in military hardware.
On his part, head of the Pakistani delegation, General Shahir Shamsad, praised the strides made by DICON in local military equipment production, recognising Nigeria as a significant player in Africa with substantial geo-strategic importance to Pakistan.
He emphasised that deeper cooperation would yield mutual benefits for both nations.
The visit marks a new chapter in Nigeria-Pakistan defence relations, with both countries positioned to leverage their respective strengths in pursuit of enhanced security and technological progress.
