Nigeria, Cameroon Sign Defence Pact to Boost Border Security, Maritime Cooperation
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing security along their shared southern border.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Yaoundé by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, following two days of deliberations by defence and security experts from both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the MoU establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in securing both terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria-Cameroon southern border while reinforcing the longstanding defence relationship between the neighbouring nations.
The agreement provides for enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes and stronger mechanisms for responding collectively to emerging security threats.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, General Musa said the MoU would provide a structured framework for military cooperation and operations between the two countries, while institutionalising collaboration in addressing common security concerns.
He noted that both nations remain committed to tackling cross-border security challenges through sustained partnership and coordinated action.
The discussions also highlighted the need to operationalise the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force as a strategic platform for improving maritime security and protecting economic interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
On defence industrial cooperation, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration in defence technology and innovation, stressing that limited indigenous production of military hardware remains a major challenge to Africa’s defence capability development.
He said Nigeria was open to partnerships in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation and capacity building under the framework of the Defence Industries Corporation.
In his remarks, Assomo expressed Cameroon’s interest in expanding cooperation in defence innovation and technology, disclosing that a formal proposal framework was being finalised to facilitate concrete bilateral arrangements in the sector.
The defence pact is expected to further strengthen Nigeria-Cameroon relations and reinforce both countries’ commitment to regional peace, security, sovereignty and collective defence.
