Nigeria, Brazil Strengthen Ties In Regional Security Co-operation.
By Ferdinand Olise
The Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has held a high-level bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr José Múcio Monteiro Filho, on the need to strengthen defence relations, advance defence-industrial cooperation, and enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, among other defence-related issues.
According to a statement by the Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, the meeting heldon Monday in Brasília on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to Brazil was also attended by the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, General Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire,.
The Minister underscored Nigeria’s commitment to full implementation of the Nigeria-Brazil Defence Agreement signed on 24 June 2025, describing the agreement as a strategic instrument for expanding collaboration, deepening technology transfer, and building industrial partnerships.
According to the statement, effective implementation is essential for both nations to maximise the value of the partnership, particularly in developing Nigeria’s local defence production capacity.
He further noted that closer collaboration on maritime awareness, joint exercises, and inter-operability will help both countries protect vital sea routes, and grow their blue economies.
“Nigeria is determined to build a resilient defence industry that reduces dependence on imports and positions our country as the defence-industrial hub in Africa. Brazil’s experience and technological depth make it a trusted partner, but our priority is to move from agreements to action, with clear timelines and measurable results that benefit both nations”, the Minister of Defence said.
The Minister also commended Brazil’s support in securing the Gulf of Guinea, a maritime corridor central to Nigeria’s economic lifeline, and acknowledged its constructive role in advancing the objectives of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS).
According to him, President Bola Tinubu places national security and self-reliance at the core of Nigeria’s development strategy, hence the need for sustained cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, and defence-industrial innovation . Both Ministers therefore agreed to establish a structured defence dialogue framework to ensure continuity, accountability, and tangible outcomes.
The engagement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a forward-looking partnership with Brazil, reinforcing bilateral ties and Nigeria’s leadership in regional and transatlantic security cooperation.
