ECOWAS COMMISSION SEEKS STRONGER MILITARY PARTNERSHIP WITH DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has expressed its commitment to strengthening military cooperation and institutional relations with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to enhance regional security and address emerging threats across the West African sub-region.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, made this known on Thursday, 12 November 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where he was received by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede.
During the visit, Mr Ogunjimi commended the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for its outstanding contributions to peace, security and regional stability. He particularly acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to regional peace efforts and its significant role in stabilisation and peace support operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
He described Nigeria’s contributions to collective security as a vital pillar of ECOWAS’ regional integration, peacebuilding and stability agenda.
The ECOWAS Vice President also applauded the Defence Headquarters for its sustained efforts in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and advancing regional security objectives. He reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the DHQ through enhanced security cooperation, strategic engagement and joint initiatives aimed at addressing evolving security challenges across the sub-region.
Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, underscored the importance of sustained partnerships, mutual trust and collective responsibility in confronting the complex security challenges facing West Africa.
General Oluyede urged ECOWAS member states to strengthen military-to-military relations, deepen collaboration and work collectively towards achieving the objectives of the regional organisation.
He noted that security threats across the sub-region transcend national boundaries and therefore require coordinated responses, effective intelligence sharing and enhanced operational cooperation among member states.
The CDS further reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to supporting regional peace, stability and security in alignment with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and its longstanding leadership role in collective security initiatives across West Africa.
The visit highlights the shared resolve of the ECOWAS Commission and the Defence Headquarters to deepen institutional ties, strengthen military cooperation and promote a more coordinated regional response to emerging security threats.
SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
12 November 2026
