Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari
MOSCOW, Aug 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigerian Embassy in Russia has announced the signing of a military-technical cooperation agreement between the governments of Nigeria and Russia.
The agreement provides a legal framework for the supply and servicing of military equipment, training of personnel as well as technology transfer by Russia, a statement signed in Moscow said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.) led the delegation on the official assignment signed on behalf of the Nigerian government while his counterpart Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Service for PliIitary-Technical Cooperation signed on behalf of Russia.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, and representatives from the army and air Force formed the Nigerian delegation at the signing ceremony, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
This agreement replaces a similar agreement that was signed 20-years ago.
It also follows a military cooperation and trade agreements both countries signed in 2017 and 2019.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 agreement allows Nigerian servicemen to be trained in Russia’s military educational establishments while both countries will exchange peacekeeping experience in fighting piracy and terrorism.
In the 2019 agreement, the cooperation extended from military collaboration to oil and gas as well as rail development and trade, among others.
The agreement which was then signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit also sought the advancement of a nuclear power plant in Nigeria.
Speaking after the signing, Amb. Abdullahi Shehu expressed appreciation to the Russian authorities, reiterating that Nigeria was not looking for alternatives but for complementarity and mutual benefits. — NNN-AGENCIES
