By Joy Odor Army Correspondent
Nigeria’s security architecture received a decisive diplomatic jolt on Tuesday as India signalled deeper military alignment with Africa’s largest democracy.
The momentum shifted visibly on 9 December 2025, when the Indian Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Colonel Manoj Singh, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), at Army Headquarters in Abuja.
But these was no ceremonial handshake, it was a signal of intensified defence cooperation, a renewal of long-standing military ties, and a forward push into new frontiers of technology, training, and joint operations.
Colonel Singh arrived to a warm military protocol reception, a reflection of India’s growing strategic importance to Nigeria’s defence evolution.
His message was unambiguous:
India is ready to do more. Much more.
In his remarks, Singh commended the Nigerian Army’s relentless national security operations, from counterterrorism to stabilization efforts across the country.
He praised the professionalism of troops on the frontlines and expressed India’s appreciation for the cooperation that has sustained decades of defence partnership.
Then came the commitment that underscored the visit:
India wants to expand training slots, strengthen defence technology exchanges, and broaden the scope of bilateral military engagements.
For Nigeria, a country battling asymmetric warfare, intensifying threats, and the need for upgraded technical capacity, this offer lands at a critical moment.
COAS Lieutenant General Shaibu welcomed Singh’s assurances, describing India as one of Nigeria’s most reliable global defence partners.
He highlighted India’s long-standing role in:
Military training programmes
Capacity building
Defence research support
Technical development for ground forces
“These pillars have been invaluable,” Shaibu said, “and the time has come to deepen cooperation further, especially in counterterrorism operations, intelligence sharing, equipment procurement, and professional military education.”
His tone carried both appreciation and urgency, signalling Nigeria’s determination to retool its forces with global-standard support.
The meeting closed with a symbolic exchange of souvenirs presented by the COAS, a longstanding military tradition that marks trust, mutual respect, and forward-looking partnership.
Colonel Singh signed the Visitors’ Book, affirming India’s commitment to the next phase of the bilateral relationship.
A group photograph captured the moment, a visual representation of two nations tightening their security bond.
This renewed Nigeria–India defence alignment comes at a time when:
Insurgency continues to mutate in the North
Banditry and cross-border crime require more intelligence-driven operations
Modern warfare demands sophisticated equipment and training
Nigeria seeks global partners who deliver consistent, reliable defence support
India, one of the world’s largest military powers and a long-time supporter of Nigeria’s defence evolution, is positioning itself as a central player in Nigeria’s security modernization drive.
For Nigeria, this visit is more than a diplomatic routine. It is a strategy marker.
For India, it is an affirmation of its influence in Africa’s defence landscape.
Together, both nations are quietly powering up a partnership built on training, intelligence, technology, and trust.
And on 9 December 2025, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, that partnership moved one deliberate step forward.
