Nigeria and Cameroon strengthen defence ties with new agreement

Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a memorandum of understanding in Yaoundé to strengthen military cooperation and enhance security along their shared southern border. The pact aims to improve operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint training, and personnel exchanges between the two neighbouring countries.

The agreement was formalised by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo. The signing concluded two days of talks involving senior military and security officials from both nations.

The new framework addresses security challenges on land and at sea, including the Gulf of Guinea where a recently established Combined Joint Maritime Task Force is expected to play a key role. Both sides stressed the importance of fully operationalising this force to protect regional maritime interests.

General Musa stated that the agreement provides a structured platform for bilateral military cooperation and institutionalises joint efforts to tackle common security threats. He also highlighted the need for stronger regional industrial collaboration in defence, noting that Africa’s defence capacity development is often hindered by limited local production of military equipment.

Musa pointed to opportunities offered by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, expressing openness to joint projects in military equipment manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and skills development. In response, Assomo confirmed Cameroon’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in defence innovation and technology, adding that a formal proposal framework is being finalised to implement future joint projects.