The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, recently embarked on a significant diplomatic and military engagement with Russia, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to bolster its national security and deepen international military cooperation. During the strategic visit to Moscow on May 10, 2025, General Musa met with the newly appointed Russian Minister of Defence, Mr. Andrey Belousov, to deliberate on Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and explore practical ways in which the Russian Federation can lend its support.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Russian Ministry of Defence, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the area of military and technical assistance. The high-level discussion came on the heels of a recent offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to assist Nigeria in its ongoing battle against terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of internal security threats.
During the engagement, General Musa presented a comprehensive outline of the Nigerian Armed Forces’ (AFN) operational priorities, identifying areas in which the country seeks external support. He specifically highlighted the need for modern equipment, technical assistance, intelligence sharing, and training to enhance the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, who was part of the delegation, described the interaction as “highly rewarding.” He emphasized that it offered an important platform for both countries to realign their defence cooperation strategies in line with current global and regional security dynamics.
“The CDS, General Christopher Musa, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Andrey Belousov, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, on Saturday, 10 May 2025, at the Russian Ministry of Defence Building in Moscow,” Gusau confirmed. “The visit enabled the CDS to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to military cooperation with the Russian Federation. It also provided an opportunity for him to outline the operational needs of the AFN, which Russia could potentially support,” he added.
The visit also coincided with the 80th Victory Day celebrations in Russia, a symbolic occasion that underscores the country’s historic military achievements. According to the Nigerian defence delegation, their presence during this celebration reflected Nigeria’s gesture of goodwill and solidarity with the Russian people, while strengthening diplomatic rapport.
In response, the Russian Defence Minister expressed Moscow’s readiness to deepen its engagement with Nigeria. He assured that Russia stands prepared to provide logistical, operational, and technological support in line with the terms of existing military-technical cooperation agreements. He also announced that the upcoming Intergovernmental Working Group session would serve as a platform to speed up the implementation of the discussed areas of collaboration, ensuring that both nations derive mutual benefits from the defence partnership.
General Musa’s visit to Russia is the latest in a series of proactive diplomatic moves aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s armed forces to meet emerging security challenges. It follows earlier engagements between Russian envoys and Nigerian defence authorities. Notably, Lt. Gen. Averianov had earlier visited Nigeria as a special envoy from President Putin, where he reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against insecurity and recognized Nigeria as a “major regional power and critical partner” in Africa.
Russia’s earlier pledges included supplying advanced weaponry, offering training to Nigerian military personnel, and providing real-time operational guidance. These promises are now expected to gain traction following General Musa’s strategic dialogue with the Russian defence leadership.
This latest development marks a promising step in Nigeria’s quest to secure lasting peace and stability, leveraging global partnerships to enhance its domestic defence capabilities and protect its territorial inte
grity.