Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a new five-year defence cooperation agreement designed to strengthen military ties and enhance security operations between both nations.
The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by Ahmed Dan Wudil, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Matawalle.
According to the statement, the pact will focus on military training, intelligence sharing, joint operations, defence production, and broader security collaboration aimed at tackling emerging threats.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Minister Mohammed Matawalle on behalf of Nigeria, while Dr. Khaleed H. Al-Biyari represented Saudi Arabia.
The Defence Ministry described the agreement as a major step in deepening bilateral relations, noting that enhanced cooperation will contribute to addressing current security challenges in parts of Nigeria.
It added that the government is optimistic that ongoing problems, including terrorism and violent extremism, will be significantly reduced through stronger international partnerships.
The development comes amid public debate over an old video of Matawalle from his time as Zamfara State governor. Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode criticised the renewed attention the video received, calling it a smear campaign.
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Fani-Kayode defended Matawalle’s track record, saying he has remained loyal to President Bola Tinubu and has been instrumental in major counter-terrorism successes in recent years.
He also praised the collaboration between Matawalle and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, noting that their efforts have led to the elimination of a substantial number of terrorists.
Encouraging the minister to stay focused, Fani-Kayode described him as “a courageous and determined fighter,” expressing confidence in his continued service and commitment to Nigeria’s security.
