Nigeria and the Czech Republic are moving closer to a full-fledged defence cooperation agreement as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military ties.
Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Tuesday hosted a high-powered Czech delegation in Abuja led by Radka Konderlová, the country’s Junior Deputy Minister of Defence, alongside Ambassador Zdeněk Krejčí and senior Czech officials.
Badaru described the visit as “a clear demonstration of friendship and a shared commitment” to tackling common security challenges, from terrorism in West Africa to global threats. He noted that discussions which began in January 2023 are now “maturing into concrete collaborations that will deliver tangible benefits” to both nations.
“This partnership goes beyond courtesy visits,” the Minister said. “It is about building lasting frameworks to strengthen our armed forces, promote regional stability, and deepen the friendship between Nigeria and the Czech Republic.”
Konderlová echoed the sentiment, describing Nigeria as Prague’s most important defence partner in West Africa. She confirmed that Nigeria is one of a select group of countries with which the Czech Republic is pursuing a formal defence cooperation agreement.
Both sides agreed to step up high-level consultations and fast-track negotiations in training, logistics, capacity-building, and equipment interoperability — areas expected to boost Nigeria’s military readiness.