THE Defence Headquarters has clarified that Nigeria’s military cooperation with the United States is strictly focused on professional training, operational capacity building, and intelligence sharing, stressing that there are no plans to establish a United States military base in Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that the clarification was made by the Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Major General SM Uba, during a Twitter Space discussion organised by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
According to the military spokesman, the collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States Army is part of a broader bilateral defence partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security capabilities.
Major General Uba firmly dismissed speculation that the partnership could lead to the establishment of a U.S. military base on Nigerian soil.
He explained that the cooperation is limited to capacity development programmes designed to improve the effectiveness and professionalism of Nigeria’s armed forces.
“The partnership between Nigeria and the United States does not imply the establishment of a United States military base in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that all engagements under the partnership are conducted within the framework of mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interests.
The defence spokesman explained that the cooperation includes a variety of military engagements, including joint training exercises, technical collaboration, and intelligence exchange.
According to him, these initiatives are intended to strengthen the Nigerian military’s ability to tackle emerging security challenges confronting the country.
Such challenges include terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other forms of transnational criminal activities.
Uba noted that the knowledge-sharing programmes enable Nigerian military personnel to adopt global best practices and enhance operational efficiency in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
The Defence Headquarters also stressed that Nigeria’s military cooperation with the United States is not unique.
Uba explained that Nigeria maintains similar defence partnerships with several other countries as part of its long-term strategy to improve military professionalism and operational capacity.
“These partnerships allow our defence institutions to benefit from global expertise while ensuring that Nigeria maintains full control over its defence policies and operational decisions,” he said.
Speaking during the discussion, presidential spokesman Sunday Dare reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening Nigeria’s defence and security architecture through strategic international collaborations.
He noted that such partnerships are crucial in supporting the modernisation and capacity building of the country’s armed forces.
According to him, improving the capabilities of Nigeria’s military remains a key component of the government’s broader strategy to address evolving security threats.
Participants in the discussion also acknowledged that international cooperation has become increasingly important in addressing modern security threats that often transcend national borders.
They noted that partnerships such as the Nigeria–United States defence cooperation help build a more capable and responsive military force.
However, they emphasised that Nigeria continues to maintain full sovereignty over its defence policies while leveraging international partnerships to enhance its operational strength.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that all defence collaborations involving Nigeria are guided by national interest and are aimed solely at improving the country’s capacity to respond effectively to security challenges.