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Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing security along their shared southern border, marking another significant step towards regional stability and collective security in Central and West Africa.

The agreement was signed in Yaoundé by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, following two days of bilateral discussions between defence and security officials from both countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a renewed framework for cooperation across both terrestrial and maritime domains, reinforcing the long-standing defence partnership between Nigeria and Cameroon while addressing evolving regional security challenges.

The agreement focuses on enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and improved mechanisms for responding collectively to emerging threats.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, General Christopher Musa stated that the agreement provides a structured framework for future military cooperation and will further institutionalise collaboration in addressing common security concerns affecting both nations.

A key outcome of the discussions was the commitment to operationalise the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which is expected to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. Both countries reaffirmed the strategic importance of safeguarding the region’s maritime trade routes, economic assets and collective security interests.

The two sides also placed considerable emphasis on expanding defence industrial cooperation. General Musa highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and encouraged greater regional collaboration in defence technology, innovation, research, technology transfer and industrial development. He noted that Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework offers significant opportunities for partnerships aimed at enhancing Africa’s self-reliance in defence production.

In response, Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, expressed strong interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in defence innovation and technology, confirming that a formal framework is currently being finalised to support future collaborative projects in defence technology and industrial development.

The agreement represents another important milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to regional security, defence cooperation, maritime stability and the development of stronger African defence capabilities.