Nigeria, Rwanda Deepen Military Ties with Cadet Exchanges, Defence Production Plans
COAS Shaibu proposes four-year military academy training for Nigerian cadets in Rwanda, expanded counterterrorism cooperation and joint defence manufacturing initiatives.
Nigeria and Rwanda are taking steps to strengthen military cooperation through proposed cadet exchange programmes, expanded counterterrorism training and collaboration in indigenous defence production.
The initiatives were proposed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during his official working visit to Rwanda on Monday, October 19, 2026, as both countries seek to enhance military capabilities and strengthen regional security.
Under the proposed arrangement, two Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) cadets would undertake a four-year training programme at the Rwanda Military Academy, while reciprocal training opportunities would be explored for Rwandan cadets in Nigeria.
Shaibu also proposed collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and relevant Rwandan defence institutions to promote indigenous military equipment production, technology development and greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Army Chief made the proposals during discussions with his Rwandan counterpart, the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the discussions also focused on expanding personnel exchanges and strengthening pre-deployment training for peace support operations through the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC).
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would initiate arrangements for the proposed cadet training programme, describing the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen existing military cooperation between both countries.
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He identified logistics, Military Police training and the exchange of operational experiences in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency as additional areas requiring closer collaboration.
The COAS stressed the importance of leveraging the operational experience and professional expertise of both armies to address emerging security threats, improve military readiness and promote regional peace and stability.
On defence industrial cooperation, he called for closer engagement between DICON and Rwanda’s defence engineering and procurement institutions to strengthen local production capacity, facilitate technology development and reduce dependence on foreign sources of military equipment.
The proposed collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing and develop local capacity to meet the equipment requirements of its Armed Forces.
Rwanda Seeks Expanded Military Education Cooperation
Responding, Major General Nyakarundi commended the Nigerian Army for providing specialised Military Police and intelligence training to Rwandan personnel.
He called for expanded opportunities for professional military education through Nigeria’s Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Army War College Nigeria and National Defence College.
Nyakarundi also welcomed the proposed cadet exchanges and defence industrial collaboration, describing Shaibu’s visit as evidence of growing mutual trust and professional solidarity between the two armies.
The engagements are expected to provide a framework for expanding military education, operational cooperation and defence industry partnerships between Nigeria and Rwanda.
Shaibu Pays Tribute to Rwandan Soldiers
During the visit, the Nigerian Army Chief also paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Rwandan Patriotic Army, particularly the 600 personnel who defended Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He described their resilience and patriotism as enduring lessons in national resolve and military leadership.
The visit underscores the shared interest of Nigeria and Rwanda in strengthening military professionalism, improving operational capabilities and building defence partnerships to address evolving security challenges across Africa.
