By Paul Joseph
Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening security along their shared southern border, in a move expected to enhance regional stability and deepen military cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Yaoundé by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, following two days of strategic discussions involving defence and security officials from both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the Nigerian Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the agreement establishes a renewed framework for securing both the terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria-Cameroon border while reinforcing the longstanding defence partnership between the two nations.
The MoU focuses on enhancing operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military exercises, personnel exchange programmes and collaborative responses to emerging security threats affecting both countries.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, General Musa described the agreement as a significant milestone that would institutionalise military cooperation and provide a structured framework for joint operations in addressing common security challenges.
The discussions also highlighted the need to operationalise the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, which is expected to strengthen maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea and protect the strategic economic and security interests of both countries.
On defence industrial development, the Nigerian Defence Minister reaffirmed the country’s commitment to expanding cooperation in defence technology, innovation and manufacturing.
He noted that Africa’s defence sector has long been constrained by limited indigenous production of military equipment and stressed the importance of building stronger regional industrial partnerships.
Musa further showcased opportunities under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework, expressing the country’s readiness to collaborate with Cameroon in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation and capacity building.
Responding, Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, welcomed the initiative and expressed his country’s interest in expanding cooperation in defence technology and innovation.
He disclosed that a formal proposal aimed at translating the agreement into concrete bilateral defence technology projects is currently being finalised.
The signing of the MoU marks another milestone in Nigeria-Cameroon relations and underscores both countries’ commitment to strengthening regional security, protecting their sovereignty and promoting lasting peace through closer defence collaboration.
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