INSTITUTE OF SECURITY NIGERIA ENDORSES NIGERIA–BANGLADESH DEFENCE COOPERATION

– Buratai, ISN Patron and Bangladesh Defence College Alumnus, Commends Partnership

The Institute of Security Nigeria (ISN), Nigeria’s premier professional body for security education, practice, research and advocacy, wholeheartedly endorses the strategic defence cooperation deepening initiative between the Nigerian Army and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh announced on 8th October 2026 by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and His Excellency Miah Md Mainul Kabir, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.

ISN considers it timely, strategically sound, legally legitimate and operationally necessary. It marks a decisive shift from North–South dependency to South–South mutual learning between two of the world’s largest UN troop-contributing countries, both experienced in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, disaster management and protection of civilians.

The disclosure that 154 Nigerian officers have completed strategic courses at the National Defence College Bangladesh, and the approval of a Bangladesh NDC Alumni Association, are landmark achievements that must be sustained. The Institute’s Patron, Lieutenant General TY Buratai (Rtd) CFR, former Chief of Army Staff and himself a proud alumnus of the National Defence College Bangladesh, fully endorses this strategic partnership and commends the collaboration.

The cooperation is justified by shared threats and strengths. Nigeria faces terrorism, banditry, violent extremism, farmer-herder conflict, drone threats, cybercrime and humanitarian crises; Bangladesh faces similar challenges plus climate security risks.

Both armies have developed indigenous, low-cost, high-impact doctrines for difficult terrain and limited resources. The initiative is anchored in the UN Charter, the AU Constitutive Act, International Humanitarian Law, the Geneva Conventions, and Nigeria’s National Security Strategy and Defence Policy. It also strengthens defence diplomacy, preventive security and professional military education through exchanges among the National Defence College Nigeria, Nigerian Army University Biu, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and their Bangladeshi counterparts.

Prospects include joint doctrine for counter-terrorism, counter-drone warfare, counter-IED, urban and jungle warfare, civil-military operations and humanitarian assistance; transfer of affordable technology such as tactical drones, surveillance sensors, field hospitals and disaster-resilient communications; joint UN peacekeeping training; refugee and IDP management; defence industry collaboration; strategic leadership development; and climate-security research.

The 154 alumni and future cohorts are a strategic national asset. Challenges remain: funding sustainability, technology interoperability, information security, bureaucratic bottlenecks, geopolitical balancing, personality-driven cooperation and doctrinal differences.

Expected outcomes include enhanced combat readiness, reduced terrorist operational space, improved border and maritime security, stronger compliance with International Humanitarian Law, accountable counter-terrorism operations, elevated diplomacy and trade, functional early warning, effective de-radicalisation, dignified IDP management, world-class professional military education and institutionalised defence dialogue. ISN advises upgrading the current MoU to a Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement signed at Head of State level and ratified by parliaments; establishing an Annual Nigeria–Bangladesh Defence Ministers Dialogue; creating dedicated funding with at least 30 scholarships yearly; and concluding agreements on mutual legal assistance, classified information and defence industry cooperation. Military institutions should publish a 2027–2030 Joint Training Calendar, sign academic partnerships, create a Joint Implementation Secretariat and develop intelligence-sharing protocols. Cooperation should expand beyond the Army to the Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs and NDLEA, with annual joint exercises.

ISN calls on citizens, communities, traditional institutions, civil society, media, private sector and academia to support the partnership. Citizens should treat security as collective responsibility, share information, support early warning and IDP reintegration. Civil society should monitor rights, transparency and at least 30 per cent female participation. The private sector should invest in affordable security technology, while academia should collaborate with ISN. For its part, ISN will establish a Nigeria–Bangladesh Security Cooperation Desk at UNILAG Consult Building, Room 210, organise quarterly roundtables, publish policy briefs, offer professional certifications and serve as a think-tank to government.

This cooperation is a strategic imperative and a national security multiplier. ISN reiterates its full endorsement, offers its expertise and calls for full implementation. Security is Development. Security is Peace. Security is Shared Responsibility. Security is Preventive.

Barrister Adebayo Akinade, DFISN
Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Security Nigeria
Security Consultant, Strategist and Legal Practitioner
For and on behalf of the Institute of Security Nigeria (ISN)

Email: bayoakinade77@gmail.com | bayoakinade@yahoo.co.uk
Address: UNILAG Consult Building, Second Floor, Room 210, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria