Abuja is playing host to a major defence and security dialogue as Nigeria and South Africa kicked off the 6th Defence and Security Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The five-day event is holding at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Asokoro, with top defence officials from both nations in attendance.
Declaring the meeting open, Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sunday Attah, described the forum as a “structured platform for reviewing progress, tackling emerging threats, and driving strategic cooperation.”
He highlighted the successes of the last session held in Johannesburg, which paved the way for deeper engagements this year.
Dr. Attah also reminded delegates of the Police Agreement (2001) and the Defence Cooperation Agreement (2013), which have supported joint training, capacity-building, and bilateral operations. He stressed that the two African giants must step up collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping, and tackling new security threats.
“As two leading nations on the continent, Nigeria and South Africa share the responsibility of safeguarding regional peace, stability, and security,” he said, adding that the partnership remains “a strong pillar of African solidarity.”
Leader of the South African delegation, Mr. Simeon Dumisani Dladla, echoed this commitment, noting that the meeting will expand defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, training exchanges, and even opportunities in the defence industry.
With delegates drawn from Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and stakeholders on both sides, the focus is on practical steps to consolidate security cooperation and strengthen Africa’s united front against emerging threats.