Nigeria and Denmark Forge Defense Partnership

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has announced a potential collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Denmark on Defense Cooperation.

The discussion surrounding this partnership gained momentum during a meeting between the Nigerian Defence Minister, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, and the Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Sune Krogstrup.

Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, expressed the readiness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to engage in Defense Cooperation with Denmark. He acknowledged the longstanding friendly relationship between the two nations, noting that it had predominantly revolved around various sectors, such as business, rather than defense cooperation.

In his statement, Dr. Matawalle emphasized the importance of deepening mutual cooperation between Nigeria and Denmark, particularly in the realm of defense. He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to fostering partnerships and collaborations to promote peace and security in Nigeria, given the pressing need for enhanced security measures in the country.

Dr. Matawalle proposed that technical teams from both countries should convene to engage in discussions and formulate a practical framework for advancing Defense Cooperation. This framework would encompass areas like defense equipment and intelligence sharing, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the bilateral ties between Nigeria and Denmark in the field of defense.

Ambassador Sune Krogstrup, representing Denmark, articulated the purpose of their visit, which primarily aimed to gain comprehensive insights and understanding regarding the prospects of Defense Cooperation. He also emphasized the desire to bolster the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Nigeria currently faces an array of substantial security challenges across different regions, including but not limited to terrorism, crude oil theft, kidnapping, maritime piracy, and banditry. These security issues have driven the urgency for Nigeria to seek collaborations in the realm of defense to address these pressing concerns effectively.

This move to explore Defense Cooperation aligns with recent developments in Nigerian defense and security. Notably, the Indian and Nigerian navies had recently expressed their intentions to enhance collaboration through various training activities aimed at boosting interoperability and countering piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

These activities were set to include cross-deck visitations, training sessions, and joint exercises conducted aboard Nigerian Navy vessels. In addition, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to New Delhi, India, for the G-20 Summit in September 2023 resulted in a significant commitment of $1 billion to support the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The funds were dedicated to aiding DICON in achieving its target of 40% self-sufficiency by the year 2027.

DICON, an institution operated by the Nigerian Armed Forces, plays a pivotal role in the country’s defense and self-reliance in terms of defense equipment production and maintenance.

Moreover, the 2023 budget for Nigeria included a substantial allocation of N1.25 trillion for defense-related expenditures. This allocation was further broken down as follows:

– Defence Ministry: N1,248,170,610,116
– Defence Headquarters: N84,717,595,133
– Defence Research: N3,453,827,664
– Nigerian Army: N638,108,156,198
– Navy: N158,790,615,183
– Airforce: N174,423,669,604

These budget allocations underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s defense capabilities and addressing the prevailing security challenges. The potential partnership with Denmark could play a pivotal role in achieving these goals and strengthening Nigeria’s defense infrastructure and capabilities. As discussions progress and plans take shape, this collaboration could become a vital pillar of Nigeria’s broader strategy for maintaining security and peace within its borders.