ECOWAS and Nigeria Discuss Strengthening Regional Military Readiness

Officials from the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Nigerian Army have discussed ways to improve regional security cooperation and strengthen the readiness of West Africa’s regional military capability.

Brigadier General Sheikh Massaquoi, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, led the delegation during a courtesy visit to Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, at Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja on 30 September 2026.

The delegation included Navy Captain Idenyi Jude Akpa, Commander of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, along with staff officers from the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Peace Support Operations Division of the ECOWAS Commission.

Focus on operational cooperation

The engagement formed part of continuing discussions between the Military Component of the ECOWAS Commission and the Nigerian Army. Areas discussed included regional security, defence cooperation, operational readiness, interoperability, training and logistics support.

Massaquoi conveyed greetings from the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. He also stressed the need for the ECOWAS Standby Force to become more proactive, interoperable and responsive as regional threats evolve.

According to the report, Massaquoi identified updated military doctrines, stronger joint training and exercises, intelligence sharing and deeper defence partnerships as important elements of cooperation among ECOWAS member states.

Akpa highlighted the importance of effective logistics support in maintaining the operational readiness of the Standby Force. The ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi supports the force’s deployment, sustainment and other operational requirements.

Nigeria pledges continued support

Shaibu called for stronger regional security cooperation and deeper defence partnerships among ECOWAS member states. He said threats including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and other cross-border dangers 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 assured the delegation of continued support for initiatives intended to strengthen the ECOWAS security architecture.

The meeting also reaffirmed the parties’ commitment to enhanced military cooperation, joint training, intelligence sharing, logistics support and the development of a more responsive regional security system. The report did not identify specific agreements, timelines or funding commitments arising from the engagement.