By Gabriel Ameh
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is seeking stronger security cooperation with Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters as the region faces growing cross-border security challenges.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, made this known on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where he met with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.
During the visit, Ogunjimi commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their contributions to peacekeeping, regional stability and security operations across West Africa.
He particularly highlighted Nigeria’s role in stabilisation efforts and peace support missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, describing the country’s commitment to collective security as an important pillar of regional integration.
The ECOWAS Vice President also praised the leadership of the Defence Headquarters for its efforts to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and support regional security initiatives.
He expressed the Commission’s readiness to strengthen its institutional relationship with the military, particularly through strategic engagement, security cooperation and joint initiatives to address emerging threats across the sub-region.
Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, stressed that West Africa could only effectively address its security challenges through stronger partnerships, mutual trust and collective action among member states.
Oluyede urged countries within the ECOWAS community to deepen military-to-military relationships, improve intelligence sharing and strengthen operational cooperation.
He noted that security threats across the region often extend beyond national borders, making coordinated responses essential to tackling terrorism, organised crime and other emerging challenges.
The CDS reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to supporting regional peace, stability and security in line with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and its longstanding role in collective security efforts.
The visit further underscored the importance of closer cooperation between the ECOWAS Commission and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters in strengthening regional security.
Source: Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
By: Major General Samaila Uba, Director, Defence Information.
Date: November 12, 2026.
