ECOWAS, Nigeria Discuss Regional Force Readiness and Logistics

Officials from the ECOWAS Standby Force and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi held discussions with Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff on strengthening regional military cooperation and the readiness of the West African bloc’s standby force.

Brigadier General Sheikh Massaquoi, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and Navy Captain Idenyi Jude Akpa, Commander of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja on 30 September 2026.

The delegation also included staff officers from the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Peace Support Operations Division of the ECOWAS Commission. The meeting was described as part of continuing engagement between the Military Component of the ECOWAS Commission and the Nigerian Army.

Focus on operational capability

Discussions covered regional security and defence cooperation, operational readiness, interoperability, training, intelligence sharing and logistics support.

Massaquoi called for the development of a more proactive, interoperable and responsive ECOWAS Standby Force capable of addressing changing security threats. He identified updated military doctrines, joint training and exercises, intelligence sharing and stronger defence partnerships as priorities.

He also requested continued support from the Nigerian Army to improve the force’s operational effectiveness and readiness.

Akpa highlighted the importance of effective logistics support in maintaining the operational readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force. The ECOWAS Logistics Depot is located in Lungi.

Nigeria reaffirms regional role

Shaibu called for deeper security cooperation and stronger defence partnerships among ECOWAS member states. He said terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and other cross-border threats require collective action, intelligence sharing, regular dialogue, joint training and greater interoperability.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to Nigeria’s regional security obligations and continued support for initiatives intended to strengthen the ECOWAS security architecture.

Massaquoi also acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to peacekeeping, regional security and defence cooperation in West Africa.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced military cooperation, interoperability, joint training, intelligence sharing, logistics support and the development of a more responsive regional security architecture. The report did not provide details of specific agreements, timelines or operational decisions arising from the meeting.