Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening defence collaboration and improving security along their shared southern border.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Media Adviser to the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.
According to the statement, the agreement was signed in Yaoundé on Tuesday by Musa and Joseph Beti Assomo, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence.
“The signing ceremony in Yaoundé concluded two days of intensive deliberations by defence and security experts from both nations,” the statement reads.
“The agreement establishes a modernised framework to counter emerging threats across both terrestrial and maritime domains.
“The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in securing the terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria–Cameroon southern border and reinforces the long-standing defence relationship between both nations.
“Key areas highlighted during the engagements included enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges.”
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Musa said the agreement would serve as a platform for closer military cooperation between the two countries and support efforts to tackle common security threats.
The statement noted that both delegations also discussed steps towards operationalising the Combined Maritime Joint Task Force, a move aimed at strengthening maritime security and safeguarding economic and strategic interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
On defence industry collaboration, Katung-Babatunde said the Nigerian defence minister reiterated the country’s readiness to partner with Cameroon in areas of defence technology and innovation.
Musa observed that Africa’s defence sector continues to face challenges due to limited local production of military equipment, stressing the importance of stronger regional cooperation to address the gap.
“The Minister further highlighted the opportunities created under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework and reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development,” the statement added.
“In response, Joseph Beti Assomo, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, expressed interest in advancing cooperation in defence innovation and technology and confirmed that a formal proposal framework is currently being finalised to concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology.
“The agreement marks a pivotal milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable peace, regional sovereignty, and collaborative defence.”
The latest agreement underscores ongoing efforts by both countries to deepen security cooperation as they confront cross-border threats and seek to strengthen stability in the region.
