Nigeria and Rwanda have moved to widen military cooperation through cadet exchanges, expanded counterterrorism training and defence industry collaboration after talks between their army chiefs in Kigali.
The proposals were made on Monday 19 October 2026 during an official working visit by Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, according to a statement from Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations.
Proposed training and cadet exchanges#
The initiatives include:
- Two Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) cadets undertaking a four-year training programme at the Rwanda Military Academy.
- Reciprocal training opportunities for Rwandan cadets.
- Collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Rwandan institutions to support indigenous defence production.
During discussions with Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Shaibu proposed expanded personnel exchanges and pre-deployment training for peace support operations through the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC). He also said the Nigerian Army would begin arrangements for the cadet training programme to strengthen existing cooperation.
Counterterrorism and defence production#
General Shaibu listed logistics, Military Police training and the exchange of operational experience in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency as further areas of cooperation. He said both armies should use their expertise to address emerging security threats, improve operational readiness and support regional security and stability.
On defence production, he proposed closer collaboration between DICON and Rwanda’s defence engineering and procurement institutions to promote local military equipment production, technology development and self-reliance.
Rwandan army chief responds#
General Shaibu also paid tribute to the Rwandan Patriotic Army, particularly the 600 personnel who defended Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, describing their resilience and patriotism as enduring lessons in national resolve and military leadership.
In response, Major General Nyakarundi commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and Intelligence training to Rwandan personnel. He called for expanded professional military education through the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and National Defence College.
The Rwandan army chief welcomed the proposed cadet exchanges and defence industrial collaboration, describing the visit as a demonstration of growing mutual trust and professional solidarity between both armies.
