The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna, in Kigali.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on 20th October, 2026, by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, General Shaibu is in Rwanda on an official working visit at the invitation of the Chief of Army Staff, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major General Vincent Nyakarundi.
The engagement highlights the strategic importance of diplomatic support in advancing Nigeria’s defence relations and strengthening military cooperation with African partners.
The visit, the statement added, provides an opportunity to reinforce coordination between Nigeria’s diplomatic mission and the Nigerian Army in support of bilateral defence engagements, professional military exchanges and shared security priorities.
“Effective diplomatic-military synergy remains essential to sustaining strategic partnerships, facilitating institutional collaboration and aligning defence engagements with Nigeria’s foreign policy and national security objectives,” Colonel Anele stated.
The engagement further underscores the importance of whole-of-government cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s interests abroad and strengthening its role in regional security initiatives.
Through closer coordination between diplomatic and military institutions, Nigeria can consolidate existing partnerships, expand opportunities for defence collaboration and contribute to collective efforts towards peace, stability and security across Africa.