Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on securing their shared southern border and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The agreement was signed in Yaoundé on Wednesday by
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and Cameroon’s
Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Mr Joseph Assomo,
following two days of deliberations by defence and security experts from both
countries.
According to a statement on Wednesday by Musa’s media aide,
Leah Katung-Babatunde, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation across
terrestrial and maritime domains and covers intelligence sharing, operational
coordination, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange
programmes, and collective response mechanisms to emerging security threats.
“In a major step toward regional stability, the Honourable
Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Christopher
Musa (retd.) OFR, today signed an MoU with the Minister Delegate at the
Presidency in charge of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon, Mr Joseph Assomo,
to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and secure their shared southern
border.
“The signing ceremony in Yaoundé concluded two days of
intensive deliberations by defence and security experts from both nations. The
agreement establishes a modernised framework to counter emerging threats across
both terrestrial and maritime domains.
“The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a renewed
framework for cooperation in securing the terrestrial and maritime domains
along the Nigeria–Cameroon southern border and reinforces the long-standing
defence relationship between both nations.
“Key areas highlighted during the engagements included
enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support,
joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened
mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges,” the
statement partly read.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musa said the agreement
“would henceforth provide a structured framework for military cooperation and
operations between both countries and further institutionalise collaboration in
addressing common security concerns.”
Both sides also discussed the operationalisation of the
Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, described as a strategic platform for
enhancing maritime security and safeguarding economic interests within the Gulf
of Guinea, where Nigeria and Cameroon are key stakeholders.
On defence industry cooperation, General Musa noted that
“one of the enduring challenges confronting African defence capability
development has been limited indigenous production of military hardware,” and
stressed the need for stronger regional industrial partnerships. He highlighted
opportunities under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework and
reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to collaboration in defence manufacturing,
technology transfer, research and innovation.
Assomo, in response, expressed interest in advancing
cooperation in defence technology and confirmed that a formal proposal
framework is being finalised to concretise bilateral arrangements in that area.
The signing marks what both governments described as a
pivotal milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing their shared
commitment to regional peace and sovereignty.
The signing comes days after armed Cameroonian soldiers
allegedly invaded the Danare community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross
River State, causing widespread panic.
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