NADCEL 2026: COAS Hosts African Army Chiefs in Port Harcourt, Pushes United Front Against Terrorism and Cross-Border Threats
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has rallied African military leaders to forge a stronger, unified response to the continent’s evolving security challenges as he convened the Third African Land Forces Forum in Port Harcourt as part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
Welcoming Army Chiefs and senior defence officials from 17 African countries on Sunday, 5 July 2026, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the gathering as a significant milestone in advancing continental security cooperation through stronger partnerships, enhanced interoperability and collective action against shared threats.
The participating countries include Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The COAS said the integration of the African Land Forces Forum into NADCEL 2026 provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the Nigerian Army’s rich heritage while deepening military cooperation among African nations. He noted that the Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, has grown into one of Africa’s most formidable land forces, while NADCEL remains an annual tribute to fallen heroes and a reaffirmation of the Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline and selfless service.
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Lieutenant General Shaibu explained that the African Land Forces Forum was conceived as a strategic platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of operational experiences among African armies. According to him, the initiative seeks to strengthen enduring partnerships and develop coordinated responses to pressing security concerns, including terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime.
He stressed that the continent’s security landscape has become increasingly complex, making regional collaboration indispensable. Drawing from Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups, the COAS highlighted the effectiveness of adaptive operational strategies, rigorous training, joint operations, the employment of air power and the Multinational Joint Task Force in degrading terrorist capabilities and reclaiming territories in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Army Chief also disclosed that the Forum will feature exhibitions of modern defence technologies, indigenous innovations and military hardware designed to promote capability development, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships among participating nations.
He urged delegates to maximise the opportunity for meaningful engagement and productive deliberations, expressing confidence that the Forum would deliver practical solutions to strengthen Africa’s collective security architecture and contribute to lasting peace and stability across the continent.
The Third African Land Forces Forum forms a major highlight of NADCEL 2026, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to promoting regional defence cooperation and collective efforts to tackle emerging security threats across Africa.