South African Army draws lessons from Nigerian operational experience — Lt Gen Mbatha

The Chief of the South African Army, Lt Gen Lawrence Mbatha, has said that the South African Army is drawing valuable lessons from the Nigerian Army’s vast operational experience in addressing complex and evolving security challenges.

According to a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Gen Mbatha made this known on Thursday during a gala night hosted in his honour at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja, as part of activities marking his official working visit to Nigeria.

Gen Mbatha stated that the visit provided an important opportunity for the South African Army to study Nigeria’s practical experience in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other asymmetric threats.

According to him, the operational knowledge and strategies employed by the Nigerian Army offered significant insights that could strengthen South Africa’s military preparedness and enhance its capacity to respond effectively to emerging security threats.

The statement added that the South African Army Chief also commended the high professional standards maintained by Nigeria’s military training institutions, particularly the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Army War College Nigeria, noting that their training programmes serve as important platforms for developing competent and strategic military leaders.

Gen Mbatha reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening its defence partnership with Nigeria, emphasising that sustained collaboration between the two armies would contribute meaningfully to advancing peace, stability, and security across the African continent. Lieutenant General Mbatha further noted that some perceptions about Nigeria were largely based on misconceptions, which he said were quickly dispelled by the warmth, humility, and professionalism he experienced during the visit.

The statement further added that, earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Gen Waidi Shaibu, described the visit as strategic and timely, noting that it further strengthens the enduring army-to-army cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.

He observed that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to promoting peace, security, and development across Africa.

The COAS further stated that Africa continues to face evolving and complex threats such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, and other asymmetric challenges. He stressed that the visit provided a valuable platform for both armies to exchange operational experiences, deepen institutional collaboration, and explore new areas of cooperation in capacity building, leadership development, intelligence sharing, and doctrinal development.

Gen Shaibu reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional, well-trained, and combat-ready force, while continuing to strengthen collaboration with strategic partners such as the South African Army to effectively address emerging security challenges across the continent.