Nigeria and the Czech Republic have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic defence ties, with both sides expressing optimism about the benefits of their growing bilateral cooperation.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr. Mati Ali, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence, Minister Badaru Abubakar gave the assurance while receiving a high-level Czech delegation led by the Junior Deputy Minister of Defence, Radka Konderlova, in his office in Abuja.
“The partnership goes beyond visits; it is about building lasting frameworks that will strengthen our armed forces, promote regional stability, and deepen the friendship between our two countries,” Minister Badaru said.
He commended the Czech Republic’s continued engagement with Nigeria, describing it as “a clear demonstration of friendship and a shared commitment to addressing common security challenges in Nigeria, West Africa, and the wider world.”
Earlier, Konderlova reaffirmed Nigeria’s importance as the Czech Republic’s key defence partner in West Africa, stressing technology transfer and sustainable capacity-building.
“Nigeria remains a critical partner for the Czech Republic in Africa, particularly in the shared pursuit of peace and stability. Beyond defence, our partnership also carries immense potential for technology transfer and human capital development,” she said.
Konderlova added that “Czech Republic is also keen on advancing cooperation in cybersecurity, space technology, and counter-drone technologies.”
The statement also noted that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, highlighted the significance of the visit, commending the Czech Republic’s role in global peace through NATO and emphasizing Nigeria’s contributions to regional stability through ECOWAS.
“I am confident that the initiatives we have outlined, anchored on mutual respect and a common commitment to global peace, will yield lasting security, mutual prosperity, and a stronger partnership that will serve not only our countries but also the entire African region and the global community,” Air Marshal Abubakar said.
The statement further disclosed that Nigeria and the Czech Republic agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and fast-track working-level negotiations on areas of mutual interest, including training, capacity-building, logistics, and equipment interoperability.
It added that “the areas of collaboration identified include logistics support for the NAF’s L-39ZA fleet, overhaul and acquisition of Mi-series helicopters, training for aircraft technicians, and advancements in aerospace engineering, avionics, and unmanned aerial systems.”