1 week Ago By Salisu Kabuga
The Federal Government is seeking to strengthen its defence capabilities through strategic collaboration with Pakistan’s Armed Forces. Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, emphasised the country’s commitment to enhancing its military prowess during a meeting with a high-level Pakistani delegation led by General Shahir Shamsad. This development was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media and publicity, Mr.
Mati Ali, after a high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by General Shahir Shamsad, met the Nigerian minister in his office in Ship House, Abuja. In the statement, the minister commended Pakistan’s cost-effective counter-terrorism strategies, describing them as exemplary for Nigeria to consider. “Pakistan has effectively addressed the challenges of terrorism and IEDs using local technology and affordable drones.
“The meeting highlighted the enduring relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan, anchored on mutual respect, shared challenges, and aligned strategic interests,” Abubakar stated.. Accordingly, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence emphasized that joint efforts would enhance military capabilities, promote mutual understanding and deepen trust between the two countries.
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He, however, hinted further that future cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan will focus on boosting local manufacturing capacity and innovation in military hardware, adding that “this will enable Nigeria to develop its defence industry and reduce reliance on external sources.” The minister advocated for partnerships without strings or coercion, emphasizing the need to engage and elevate the relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan. He recognised Nigeria as a significant player in Africa with substantial geo-strategic importance to Pakistan, emphasising that deeper cooperation would yield mutual benefits for both nations.
“The development is a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria-Pakistan defence relations, with both countries poised to benefit from their cooperation,” he explained..
