PICTORIAL: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Seal 5-yr Defence Pact To Deepen Military Cooperation

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen defence and security cooperation between both nations.

The agreement, announced on Tuesday in a statement by Ahmed Dan Wudil, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, covers strategic collaboration in military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and joint operations.

Signed in Riyadh by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, and Saudi Arabia’s Dr. Khaleed H. Al-Biyari, the pact is expected to serve as a framework for sustainable security development across the two countries.

“The agreement marks a significant step in boosting bilateral relations, cooperation and enhancing collaborative efforts in tackling emerging security challenges in the country,” the Defence Ministry said. It also expressed optimism that the partnership would help accelerate the end of ongoing security challenges in parts of Nigeria.

The deal came amid renewed scrutiny of Minister Matawalle following the resurfacing of an old video in which he commented on terrorism during his tenure as Zamfara State governor.

Reacting to the controversy, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode described the criticism as “a vicious media campaign,” calling it “shameless and nauseating.”

Defending Matawalle’s record, Fani-Kayode said the minister had demonstrated “unwavering loyalty” to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and had been instrumental in advancing the nation’s security strategy alongside National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

According to him, “The partnership between Matawalle and Ribadu has resulted in the killing of more terrorists in the last two years than in the previous eight put together.”

Fani-Kayode, however, faulted what he described as the government’s muted publicity of these successes. “My only grouse is that… they do not make this public,” he said.

He urged Matawalle to “remain focused,” describing him as “a ruthless and courageous fighter,” and adding, “We are with you, my brother, and more importantly, God is behind you.”

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