South Africa Seeks Deeper Defence Cooperation With Nigeria, Says Army Chief, Mbatha

The Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, has stated that his official visit to Nigeria is aimed at strengthening military cooperation and deepening the strategic defence partnership between the two countries.

Speaking during an engagement with journalists at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, the South African Army Chief explained that the visit, approved by the South African Minister of Defence, is a working visit scheduled from March 8 to March 12, during which he will meet with his Nigerian counterpart and other key defence institutions.

According to him, the visit has already provided valuable insights into Nigeria’s military structure and operational experience.

He noted that the Nigerian Army possesses vast experience and institutional knowledge, particularly from its long-standing involvement in counter-insurgency operations and regional security engagements.

The South African delegation also visited three key military institutions in Nigeria, including the National Defence College, describing the engagements as enriching and empowering.

Despite the geographical distance between the two nations, the South African Army Chief emphasized that Nigeria and South Africa share a strategic partnership rooted in common African interests.

He stressed that the absence of a shared border does not diminish the importance of collaboration between the two countries.

According to him, African nations must move beyond divisions created by colonial-era borders and instead focus on their shared identity and collective security challenges.

He explained that security threats such as terrorism and insurgency are not confined to specific regions, warning that no country is immune to such dangers.
Drawing from his own background and experience in insurgency-related operations, he said sharing knowledge with Nigeria’s military leadership is crucial in preparing South Africa for potential future threats.

He cited South Africa’s involvement in peacekeeping operations in Mozambique as an example of how terrorism can spread across regions if not addressed collectively.

According to him, early warnings and lessons from countries already confronting insurgency, such as Nigeria, can help others better prepare.
The Army Chief therefore stressed the importance of African military cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint strategic planning in addressing evolving security threats across the continent.