Nigeria, Cameroon Sign Defence Pact to Strengthen Border Security

Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing security along their shared southern border.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Yaoundé, Cameroon, by Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and Cameroon's Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the agreement followed two days of deliberations by defence and security experts from both countries.

The statement said the MoU provides a renewed framework for cooperation in securing both terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria-Cameroon southern border, while reinforcing the long-standing defence relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Key areas of cooperation under the agreement include enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and improved mechanisms for responding to emerging security threats.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Musa said the agreement would provide a structured framework for military cooperation and joint operations between Nigeria and Cameroon.

He noted that the pact would further institutionalise collaboration in addressing common security concerns facing both countries.

The discussions also highlighted the need to operationalise the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which both countries view as a strategic platform for strengthening maritime security and protecting economic interests in the Gulf of Guinea.

The minister reiterated Nigeria's commitment to expanding cooperation in defence technology and innovation, stressing the need for African countries to reduce dependence on foreign military hardware through stronger regional partnerships.

Musa observed that limited indigenous production of defence equipment remained a major challenge to Africa's defence capability development and called for increased collaboration in research, innovation, technology transfer and capacity building.

He further pointed to opportunities under Nigeria's Defence Industries Corporation framework, expressing the country's readiness to partner with Cameroon in defence manufacturing and technological advancement.

In his remarks, Assomo expressed Cameroon's interest in deepening cooperation in defence technology and innovation.

He disclosed that a formal proposal framework was being finalised to facilitate concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology between the two countries.

The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and reinforce the commitment of both nations to regional security, peace and sovereignty.