Nigeria and Cameroon have deepened their defence cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen security along their shared southern border and enhance regional stability.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Yaoundé by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, following two days of strategic discussions involving defence and security experts from both countries.
The new pact establishes a modernised framework to address evolving security threats across land and maritime domains while reinforcing the longstanding defence partnership between both nations.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Defence on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the agreement is aimed at strengthening existing bilateral defence mechanisms and improving responses to emerging security challenges.
Under the framework, Nigeria and Cameroon will enhance cooperation in securing both terrestrial and maritime territories along their shared southern border.
The two countries also identified key areas for collaboration, including improved operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military exercises, personnel exchange programmes, and collective responses to security threats.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, General Musa said the agreement would provide a structured framework for military operations and institutionalise cooperation in addressing common security concerns.
Discussions also highlighted the need to operationalise the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force to bolster maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea and safeguard economic and strategic interests shared by both countries.
On defence industrial development, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding partnerships in defence technology and innovation.
He noted that one of Africa’s longstanding challenges has been limited indigenous production of military equipment and stressed the importance of building stronger regional industrial capabilities.
The minister further highlighted opportunities available under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework, reiterating the country’s readiness to collaborate in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development.
Responding, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, expressed his country’s interest in advancing bilateral partnerships in defence technology and innovation.
He disclosed that a formal proposal framework is currently being finalised to convert these commitments into concrete bilateral arrangements.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-Cameroon relations and underscores both countries’ commitment to promoting sustainable peace, protecting regional sovereignty, and strengthening collective security through strategic cooperation.
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