South African Army chief visits Nigerian military institutions to strengthen cooperation

The Chief of the South African Army, Lt.-Gen. Lawrence Mbatha, on Wednesday paid a working visit to key Nigerian Army institutions in Kaduna, including the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

The visit, confirmed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), aimed to strengthen military cooperation and benchmark training systems between the Nigerian and South African armed forces, in line with an existing cooperation agreement.

Mbatha described his impression of the institutions visited as commendable, highlighting the integrated curriculum and professional training structure at the NDA as a model for South Africa’s military training.

“Starting from the NDA to the AFCSC, I must say the level of professionalism is quite impressive. At the NDA, if we can have such an integrated curriculum, there is much to learn from that process,” he said.

The South African Army Chief also praised AFCSC for its strong international cooperation, noting ongoing exchange programmes involving directing staff and students.

During his visit to DICON, Mbatha acknowledged existing engagements between Nigerian and South African defence companies.

Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Olatoye, Commandant of the NDA, emphasized the academy’s rigorous training combining academic and military instruction, including conventional and asymmetric warfare, airborne and amphibious operations. Cadets must meet strict standards before earning specialised badges such as airborne wings.

Commandant of AFCSC, AVM A.O. Shogbanmu, expressed delight at hosting the South African Army Chief, noting that the engagement would further strengthen bilateral military ties.

Mbatha was accompanied by senior Nigerian military officers, including Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, GOC 1 Division, Nigerian Army, representatives of the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, the Deputy Commandant NDA, and other staff officers from Army Headquarters.