Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening security cooperation along their shared southern border as both countries intensify efforts to tackle cross-border crime and emerging security threats.
The agreement was signed in Yaoundé on Thursday by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.
The signing ceremony marked the end of two days of high-level discussions between defence and security officials from both countries on enhancing bilateral military cooperation.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the agreement provides a renewed framework for securing the land and maritime borders shared by Nigeria and Cameroon.
Under the pact, both countries will deepen collaboration through enhanced intelligence sharing, joint military operations, logistics support, personnel exchange programmes, military training and coordinated responses to emerging security challenges.
Speaking during the ceremony, General Musa said the agreement would institutionalise military cooperation between the two neighbouring countries and strengthen efforts to address common security threats.
“The Memorandum of Understanding provides a structured framework for military cooperation and operations between Nigeria and Cameroon while reinforcing collaboration in tackling shared security concerns,” he said.
The two countries also agreed to accelerate the operationalisation of the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which is expected to enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and protect critical economic and security interests in the region.
Beyond border security, discussions also focused on defence industrial cooperation.
General Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in defence technology, innovation and local military equipment production, noting that Africa must reduce its dependence on imported defence hardware by developing indigenous manufacturing capacity.
He said Nigeria was ready to collaborate with Cameroon in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation and capacity building under the Defence Industries Corporation framework.
In his remarks, Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, expressed his country’s readiness to expand cooperation in defence innovation and technology.
He disclosed that Cameroon is finalising a formal proposal that will pave the way for concrete bilateral agreements in defence technology between the two countries.
The agreement is expected to further strengthen the long-standing defence relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon while promoting regional stability, safeguarding shared borders and enhancing peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
