From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities through strategic collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Speaking during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by General Shahir Shamsad, at his office in Ship House, Abuja, the Minister commended Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategies, describing them as cost-effective and exemplary for Nigeria to emulate.
He noted that the longstanding relationship between both nations is built on mutual respect, shared challenges, and aligned strategic interests.
“The history of cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan provides a solid foundation for expanding collaboration in the defence sector,” Badaru stated. He emphasized that joint efforts would not only enhance military capabilities but also foster mutual understanding and deepen trust between the two countries.
“We must engage and elevate our relationship. I advocate for partnerships without strings or coercion. Pakistan has effectively addressed the challenges of terrorism and IEDs using local technology and affordable drones,” he added.
Future cooperation, he said, would focus on critical areas such as drone technology and capacity building within the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), with the aim of boosting local manufacturing and innovation in military hardware.
Earlier, General Shahir Shamsad, head of the Pakistani delegation, praised DICON’s progress in local military equipment production and recognized Nigeria as a significant player in Africa, with considerable geo-strategic relevance to Pakistan. He expressed confidence that deeper cooperation between the two nations would yield mutual benefits.
In a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mari Ali, the visit was described as marking a new chapter in Nigeria–Pakistan defence relations, with both countries poised to leverage their respective strengths in pursuit of enhanced security and technological advancement.