The Ministry of Defence hosted a delegation from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Senior Course 47, during a study tour to the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, represented by the Director of Joint Services Department, Mrs. Bosede Olaniyi, said the tour was part of efforts to promote professional exchange, strengthen regional defence cooperation and enhance understanding of defence administration and industrial development within Africa.
Olaniyi described Nigeria and Ghana as key partners in West Africa, noting that both countries had continued to build strong economic and defence collaboration over the years.
She explained that Nigeria remains committed to ensuring peace and stability within the country and across the African continent, stressing that the success of the defence sector is vital to Africa’s growth and development.
According to her, the Ministry remains committed to strengthening partnerships with African nations and promoting collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing peace, security and sustainable development across the continent.
Olaniyi also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen defence collaboration with Ghana.
During a presentation at the event, the Assistant Director, Special Projects, Joint Services Department, Mrs. Fatima Mowarin, highlighted several reforms introduced by the Federal Government in the defence sector.
She listed the reforms to include the re-enactment of the DICON Act, expansion of public-private partnerships, technology transfer initiatives, as well as collaboration with indigenous and foreign defence-related industries to improve local production capacity.
Mowarin further explained that the government was working to address major challenges confronting the sector, including inadequate funding, dependence on foreign technology and difficulties in sourcing raw materials locally.
She added that efforts were ongoing to revitalise local steel production and ensure effective technology transfer agreements with foreign partners.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, the head of the Ghana team, Colonel Fiifi Deegbe, appreciated the Ministry for the warm reception and valuable engagements since their arrival in Nigeria.
He noted that visits to military formations in Kaduna and various service headquarters had provided the delegation with significant learning opportunities and deeper insight into Nigeria’s defence operations and industrial development efforts.
Deegbe commended the Ministry for its transparency, elaborate briefings and commitment toward advancing indigenous defence production and regional security cooperation.
According to him, the ongoing reforms within Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence indicate that Africa is moving steadily toward greater military advancement.
Also speaking, the representative of Senior Course 47, Major Kuntu Blankson, expressed the college’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry for knowledge sharing and capacity development.
He also thanked the management of the college for the opportunity to undertake the study visit to Nigeria.