By Ayodele Oni
In a move to ensure security at border areas, Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and secure their shared southern border
The Federal Ministry of Defence, announced in a statement, that the agreement was signed on Wednesday in Yaoundé by the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) and the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon, Mr Joseph Beti Assomo.
This is coming after two days of intensive deliberations by defence and security experts from both nations.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) explained that the Memorandum of Understanding would henceforth provide a structured framework for military cooperation and operations between both countries and further institutionalize collaboration in addressing common security concerns
The agreement established a modernised framework to counter emerging threats across both terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria–Cameroon southern border and reinforce the long-standing defence relationship between both nations.
Key areas highlighted during the engagements included enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges.
Discussions also emphasised the importance of operationalising the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force as a strategic platform for enhancing maritime security and safeguarding economic and security interests within the Gulf of Guinea, where both countries remain critical stakeholders.
On defence industrial cooperation, General Christopher Musa reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration in defence technology and innovation.
He pointed out that one of the enduring challenges confronting African defence capability development has been limited indigenous production of military hardware and stressed the importance of building stronger regional industrial partnerships.
The minister further highlighted the opportunities created under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework and reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development.
In his remarks, Mr Joseph Beti Assomo expressed interest in advancing cooperation in defence innovation and technology, and confirmed that a formal proposal framework is currently being finalised to concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology.
The agreement marks a pivotal milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable peace, regional sovereignty, and collaborative defence.
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