Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation aimed at strengthening security along their shared border and enhancing maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea.
The agreement was signed in Yaoundé by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Assomo, following two days of deliberations by defence and security experts from both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in both terrestrial and maritime domains, with a focus on intelligence sharing, operational coordination, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes and collective responses to emerging security threats.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musa described the pact as a major step towards strengthening military cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
He said the agreement would provide a structured framework for joint operations and institutionalise collaboration in addressing common security challenges.
The two countries also discussed the operationalisation of the Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, a platform designed to improve maritime security and protect economic interests within the Gulf of Guinea.
On defence industry collaboration, Musa stressed the need for stronger regional partnerships to boost indigenous military hardware production across Africa.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to cooperation in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research and innovation.
In his remarks, Assomo expressed Cameroon’s interest in deepening collaboration in defence technology and disclosed that a formal proposal framework was being finalised to advance bilateral arrangements in the sector.
The signing of the agreement is expected to strengthen existing defence relations between Nigeria and Cameroon while enhancing efforts to tackle cross-border crimes, maritime insecurity and other emerging threats in the region.
