The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has lauded Nigeria for its role as a regional power and a pillar of stability on the African continent.
General Mirza stated this during a high-level courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
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According to a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Friday by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, General Mirza emphasised the strength, pride, and influence of Nigeria’s military within and beyond Africa, saying “Nigeria is a regional power – a force to be reckoned with”.
It explained that General Mirza said that Pakistan holds the professionalism and resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces in high regard, and deeply respects Nigeria’s role in promoting regional peace and security
According to it, the visit underscored the enduring defence cooperation between the two nations, with both leaders highlighting shared experiences in counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and strategic capacity-building.
It added that during the meeting, General Mirza showcased Pakistan’s defence manufacturing capabilities, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), trainer and combat aircraft, and anti-aircraft systems, while extending a formal invitation to Air Marshal Abubakar to visit Pakistan for continued strategic dialogue.
According to the statement, in his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar welcomed the Pakistani delegation and acknowledged the significant contributions of Pakistan to Nigeria’s air power development.
The CAS pointed out that the Nigerian Air Force had benefited tremendously from the defence partnership with Pakistan, particularly in areas such as pilot training, aircraft acquisition, and logistics,” Abubakar said.
It added that the CAS also highlighted a broad spectrum of opportunities in Nigeria, including its esteemed military training institutions, which could offer valuable benefits to Pakistan.
He expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation in pilot training, research and development (R&D), and aircraft technology, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to self-reliance through innovation and international partnerships.
The statement further added that both military leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for stronger bilateral defence ties and that the key topics discussed included continued engagements on aircraft platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak, which are central to Nigeria’s modernisation goals.
It added that they also expressed optimism for a future marked by deeper strategic cooperation, enhanced technological exchange, and a commitment to collective security development, emphasising the importance of mutual trust, shared values, and sustained dialogue to address global challenges and promote regional stability.
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