NDC Hosts South African Army Chief, Reaffirms Commitment To African Security Partnership

Abuja, Nigeria — The National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, has hosted the Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mzikani Mbatha, and his delegation during a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and regional security collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa.

Welcoming the delegation, Rear Admiral M.Y. Dahiru, who represented the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a significant step toward consolidating the long-standing relationship between the two nations.

According to him, Nigeria and South Africa share a strong commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability across the African continent. He noted that the engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to deepen dialogue on strategic military cooperation and collective responses to emerging security challenges.

The National Defence College Nigeria, regarded as the apex institution for strategic military training in the country, is responsible for preparing selected senior military officers and civilian officials for higher responsibilities in national security management, defence administration, and strategic leadership.
Through its academic programmes, research activities, and strategic engagements, the College contributes significantly to policy development and the advancement of national and regional security perspectives.

Dahiru noted that one of the institution’s key strengths lies in its international character, as participants are drawn from various African countries and other parts of the world, creating a platform for the exchange of professional experiences, strategic ideas, and best practices in security management.

He added that the visit by the South African Army Chief provided participants of the College with a valuable opportunity to interact with the delegation and benefit from their operational and strategic experiences.

Dahiru emphasized that evolving global security challenges require stronger partnerships, intelligence sharing, and enhanced cooperation among African countries and international institutions.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with South Africa and other African nations to promote peace, strengthen regional security frameworks, and advance the principle of African solutions to African problems.

The visit, he said, underscores the growing defence relationship between Nigeria and South Africa and highlights the importance of continued engagement, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing security challenges across the continent.