Iliyasu S. Yahaya
Abuja, Nigeria
The Chief of the South African Army, Lawrence Mbatha, on Wednesday paid a working visit to key Nigerian military institutions to strengthen defence cooperation between South Africa and Nigeria.
The visit included tours of the Nigerian Defence Academy, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria in Kaduna.
Mbatha said the visit was aimed at deepening military ties and benchmarking training systems between the armed forces of both countries, noting that the trip was part of an existing cooperation agreement between their military institutions.
He described the training standards at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College as impressive, highlighting the academy’s integrated curriculum and professional training structure as a model from which South Africa could learn.
The South African Army chief also praised the level of international cooperation at the AFCSC, noting that both countries already participate in exchange programmes involving directing staff and students.
During the visit to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Mbatha noted that defence companies in South Africa already maintain engagements with Nigerian counterparts.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Olufemi Olatoye, said the academy combines academic and military training from the first to the fourth year, while the fifth year focuses fully on military preparation for field operations.
He explained that cadets undergo training in both conventional and asymmetric warfare, including airborne and amphibious operations, with strict requirements before earning specialised military badges.
Also speaking, the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, A. O. Shogbanmu, said the visit would further strengthen collaboration between the military institutions of both countries.
Mbatha was accompanied during the visit by senior Nigerian military officers, including Abubakar Wase, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 1 Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma.