The Nigerian Navy has intensified defence cooperation with the Pakistan Navy, with a renewed focus on indigenous shipbuilding, training exchange and intelligence sharing.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, disclosed this while hosting participants of the 55th Pakistan Navy Senior Staff College Course on a study tour in Lagos.
Mustapha said the visiting delegation would tour the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) to explore partnerships aimed at advancing Nigeria’s shipbuilding capabilities, leveraging the long-standing military relationship between both countries.
According to him, Nigeria has benefitted significantly from defence collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in equipment procurement and training. He noted that the Nigerian Air Force operates Pakistan-supplied platforms such as the JF-17 multi-role fighter aircraft and the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which he described as critical to operational effectiveness.
“The Nigerian Army has also gained from the acquisition of communication equipment and anti-drone jammers sourced from Pakistan,” Mustapha said.
He added that both nations have sustained training and capacity-building programmes through staff and war colleges, joint exercises and doctrine development in maritime operations, though some exchanges have not been fully maintained.
On shipbuilding, Mustapha revealed that Nigeria is currently constructing Seaward Defence Boats (SDB) 5 and 6 locally and is seeking deeper collaboration with Pakistan to further strengthen indigenous capacity.
“Nigeria already has shipbuilding capability. With Pakistan’s technical expertise, we hope to identify areas of cooperation that will enhance our capacity,” he said.
The FOC explained that defence cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan rests on three pillars: equipment procurement, training and capacity building, and intelligence sharing.
He praised the quality of Pakistan’s military training institutions, noting that Nigerian officers trained there have consistently distinguished themselves in professionalism and competence.
Leading the Pakistani delegation, Commodore Muhammad Zalid Zaheer, Commodore Training Ashore at the Headquarters Command in Karachi, commended Nigerian Navy officers trained in Pakistan, describing them as disciplined and intelligent.
Zaheer disclosed that the course comprised 102 officers, including 28 from foreign countries and one Nigerian officer, adding that the delegation was open to expanding areas of collaboration.
“We came to Nigeria with an open heart and are willing to explore more opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
The event was attended by the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwum; Pakistan’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Kanran Mushtag; and other senior officers from both navies.
