Nigeria, Ghana Deepen Defence Cooperation as MOD Hosts Ghana Armed Forces Delegation
Oru Leonard
The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional defence cooperation and promoting indigenous military production as it hosted a delegation from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The delegation, comprising participants of Senior Course 47, visited the Ministry on Thursday as part of a regional study tour aimed at enhancing professional exchange, defence administration, and industrial development within Africa.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, the Director of Joint Services Department, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, said the visit underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria and Ghana in advancing peace, security, and economic cooperation in West Africa.
According to her, the Ministry remains committed to collaborative initiatives that will strengthen regional security architecture and sustainable development across the continent.
“Nigeria and Ghana occupy strategic positions in West Africa, and our partnership remains crucial in promoting regional peace, stability, and economic growth. The Ministry is committed to scaling up collaboration with Ghana and other African nations towards achieving collective security objectives,” Olaniyi stated.
She added that Nigeria was working tirelessly to ensure peace and stability both within the country and across Africa, stressing that the growth and success of the defence sector were vital to the continent’s development.
During a presentation at the event, Assistant Director (Special Project), Joint Services Department, Mrs Fatima Mowarin, highlighted key reforms introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry.
The reforms, she explained, include the re-enactment of the DICON Act, expansion of public-private partnerships, technology transfer initiatives, and increased collaboration with indigenous and foreign defence-related industries to boost local production capacity.
Mowarin also identified major challenges confronting the sector, including inadequate funding, dependence on foreign technology, and difficulties in sourcing raw materials locally, while outlining ongoing efforts to revitalise local steel production and enhance technology transfer agreements.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Colonel Fiifi Deegbe expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the warm reception and extensive engagements provided during their stay in Nigeria.
He noted that visits to military formations in Kaduna and various service headquarters had offered valuable insights into Nigeria’s defence operations and industrial development initiatives.
Deegbe commended the Ministry for its transparency and commitment to advancing indigenous defence production and regional cooperation.
“With the ongoing developments within Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Africa is moving steadily towards greater military advancement and self-reliance,” he said.
Also speaking, the representative of Senior Course 47, Major Kuntu Blankson, expressed optimism over future collaboration between the college and the Ministry in the area of knowledge sharing and capacity building.
In a statement signed by Mrs Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, for the Director of Information and Public Relations, the Ministry described the visit as another step towards deepening defence diplomacy and fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and Ghana.
