Nigeria A Regional Power And Pillar Of African Stability – Pakistani Military Chief

Nigeria A Regional Power And Pillar Of African Stability – Pakistani Military Chief

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has hailed Nigeria as a key regional power and a cornerstone of stability across the African continent.

He made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Abuja. The visit was highlighted in a statement issued by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Friday….READ MORE….

General Mirza praised the strength, professionalism, and influence of the Nigerian Armed Forces, noting that Nigeria’s strategic role extends well beyond its borders. He emphasized Pakistan’s high regard for the resilience of Nigeria’s military and its pivotal contributions to peace and security in the region.

The Pakistani military chief noted that the visit reinforced the longstanding defence partnership between Nigeria and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and strategic capacity development. He also showcased Pakistan’s defence manufacturing expertise, including advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), trainer and combat aircraft, and air defence systems. Furthermore, he formally invited Nigeria’s air chief to Pakistan for further high-level military engagements.

In his response, Air Marshal Abubakar commended Pakistan’s longstanding support to Nigeria’s air power development, particularly in pilot training, aircraft procurement, and logistics. He noted that Nigeria’s defence relationship with Pakistan has yielded significant benefits and expressed interest in expanding cooperation into new areas such as aircraft technology, research and development, and enhanced training programs.

Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted the opportunities Nigeria offers through its reputable military institutions and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency through innovation and global partnerships.

Both military leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence relations. They discussed further collaboration on advanced aircraft platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder and the Super Mushshak, which are integral to Nigeria’s military modernization strategy.