Nigeria, Cameroon sign new defence pact to strengthen border security

Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing security along their shared southern border.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Yaounde by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.

According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, the signing ceremony marked the culmination of two days of intensive discussions involving defence and security experts from both countries.

The ministry stated that the agreement establishes a modernised framework for addressing emerging security threats across both land and maritime domains, while reinforcing the longstanding defence relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Key areas covered by the pact include enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military exercises, personnel exchange programmes and stronger mechanisms for responding collectively to evolving security challenges.

Speaking during the ceremony, General Musa said the agreement would provide a structured framework for military cooperation and joint operations between both countries.

“The Memorandum of Understanding will institutionalise collaboration in addressing common security concerns and strengthen military cooperation between our nations,” he stated.

The defence minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation in defence technology and innovation, noting that limited indigenous production of military equipment remains a major challenge for many African countries.

He stressed the need for stronger regional partnerships in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation and capacity development, while highlighting opportunities under the framework of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.

In his remarks, Assomo welcomed the initiative and expressed Cameroon’s interest in advancing defence innovation and technology partnerships with Nigeria.

He disclosed that a formal framework is being developed to facilitate practical cooperation in defence technology between both countries.

The agreement is expected to strengthen efforts to combat transnational crimes, insurgency, piracy and other security threats affecting the border regions and the wider Gulf of Guinea.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of operationalising the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force to improve maritime security and protect economic interests in the Gulf of Guinea.