RismadarVoice Reporters, August 6, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with the Republic of Burundi to enhance regional security and combat terrorism across Africa.
The Army Chief gave the assurance while receiving Burundi’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Edouard Nduwimana, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described Nigeria and Burundi as long-standing partners united by shared African values and a common commitment to peace and security. He said the Nigerian Army would deepen bilateral cooperation through expanded training opportunities, personnel exchange programmes, institutional capacity building and strategic exposure visits to improve the operational effectiveness of both countries’ armed forces.
The COAS stressed that closer collaboration in military education, intelligence sharing and regional security initiatives remained vital to tackling terrorism, violent extremism and other transnational security threats. He also commended Burundi’s progress in promoting peace, stability and national reconciliation.
In his remarks, Ambassador Nduwimana conveyed the goodwill of the Burundian President, General Évariste Ndayishimiye, and praised the Nigerian Army for its professionalism and contributions to regional peace and counter-terrorism operations.
The envoy appealed for increased access to Nigerian military institutions for Burundian personnel through scholarships, specialised training and capacity-building programmes. He also called for expanded instructor exchange initiatives, joint military exercises and stronger collaboration in peace support operations to further strengthen defence ties between the two countries.
