By Reportcircle, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has held a high-level bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr. José Múcio Monteiro Filho, to strengthen defence cooperation between both nations.
The talks, held in Brasília on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil, also had in attendance General Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces.
Discussions focused on advancing defence-industrial cooperation, strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and deepening overall military collaboration.
Minister Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the full implementation of the Nigeria-Brazil Defence Agreement signed on June 24, 2025, describing it as a “strategic instrument” for technology transfer, joint industrial partnerships, and building Nigeria’s local defence production capacity.
“Nigeria is determined to build a resilient defence industry that reduces dependence on imports and positions our country as the defence-industrial hub in Africa,” Badaru said.
“Brazil’s experience and technological depth make it a trusted partner, but our priority is to move from agreements to action, with clear timelines and measurable results that benefit both nations.”
He emphasized that enhanced maritime domain awareness, joint exercises, and interoperability will help both countries safeguard critical sea routes and boost their blue economies.
He also commended Brazil’s role in supporting security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea and advancing the objectives of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS).
The Defence Minister noted that sustained cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, and defence-industrial innovation aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes national security and self-reliance as central pillars of Nigeria’s development strategy.
Both Ministers agreed to establish a structured defence dialogue framework to ensure accountability, continuity, and measurable outcomes from the partnership.
The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a forward-looking partnership with Brazil, reinforcing bilateral ties and positioning Nigeria as a key player in regional and transatlantic security cooperation.
