By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigerian Navy and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and maritime security cooperation, with focus on professional training, technology exchange, naval shipbuilding and defence-industrial development.
The commitment was made during a high-level engagement between the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, His Excellency Miah Md Mainul Kabir, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, where both sides explored practical areas for deepening bilateral defence relations.
Kabir underscored the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and Bangladesh, stressing the need to translate the existing ties into concrete areas of cooperation that would benefit both countries.
Responding, the Chief of the Naval Staff appreciated the Bangladeshi envoy and his delegation for the visit, while highlighting Nigeria’s operational experience in combating piracy and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said Nigeria’s experience provided opportunities for professional exchanges and shared learning, particularly in addressing maritime security challenges.
The Chief of the Naval Staff also emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among regional navies, noting that maritime threats often transcend national boundaries.
He referenced Nigeria’s participation in multinational maritime security initiatives, including its engagement with the Combined Maritime Task Force, as a possible framework for countering militancy along the maritime border between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The discussions also focused on training and professional exchanges, naval technology, shipbuilding and the development of indigenous defence industries.
The Nigerian Navy expressed interest in Bangladesh’s garment manufacturing industry as a potential area for knowledge sharing, particularly to support local production of military uniforms.
Both sides also examined prospects for technical cooperation in naval shipbuilding.
The meeting concluded with an invitation to the Chief of the Naval Staff to visit Bangladesh to further advance the areas of mutual interest.
The engagement, according to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, underscored the importance of sustained engagement between the Nigerian Navy and navies around the world to strengthen maritime security, build professional and technical capacity, promote indigenous defence-industrial capabilities and advance mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
