Nigeria Calls for Greater Regional Cooperation and Inter-Agency Collaboration
Monrovia, Liberia – Nigeria has reiterated its steadfast dedication to the security and stability of Liberia, calling for increased regional cooperation and interagency coordination to address changing threats like cybercrime, drug trafficking, and maritime insecurity.
LT. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Armed Forces, spoke Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the 69th Armed Forces Day celebration in Liberia. He commended the AFL for their “secular and tireless endeavor” in nation-building, calling the force a shining example of what sustained international collaboration can accomplish.
He acknowledged the contributions of the United States, the United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria in reorganizing and fortifying Liberia’s military and said that the Armed Forces of Liberia are a testament to the effectiveness of peace enforcement and peacebuilding efforts supported by true partnership.
He pointed out that Nigeria and Liberia have a long history of mutual sacrifice, especially during the civil war in that country, when Nigerian troops were instrumental in the effort on behalf of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
According to him, that legacy continues to be a pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a representation of African unity. “We stood together during the most challenging times, and today we stand together in celebration and collaboration,” Shaibu declared.
Modern security challenges, according to Lt. Gen. Shaibu, are becoming more intricate, multinational, and motivated by non-state actors who take advantage of socioeconomic vulnerabilities and governance flaws. He issued a warning, saying that drug trafficking, especially the increase in synthetic narcotics, is now a regional and national security danger rather than just a problem for law enforcement.
“The proliferation of illicit substances poses a grave danger to our youth, undermines social cohesion, weakens economies, and fuels organized crime and violent extremism,” he said.
In order to destroy trafficking networks at all levels, the Nigerian Chief of Staff also demanded solid legislative frameworks, coordinated interagency action, and extensive intelligence sharing. “No single institution, he stressed, can tackle these challenges alone,” stated Lt. Gen. Shaibu.
In addition to drugs, he cited cybercrime, attacks on financial institutions and vital infrastructure, and marine insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea as urgent issues. The Lt. General warned that Liberia is not immune to transnational crimes like illegal fishing or piracy since it is a coastal state.
“Securing Liberia demands forward-looking strategies, technological innovation, regional cooperation, and timely intelligence sharing to stay ahead of evolving threats,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu cited Nigeria’s experience to highlight the efficacy of a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” strategy, in which the army, navy, air force, police, and paramilitary organizations work together in joint task groups to optimize impact and remove duplication.
Under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, he reiterated Nigeria’s ongoing support for capacity building, regional security initiatives, and efforts to create a drug-free and secure West Africa. He also urged Liberian security stakeholders to cultivate a culture of cooperation.
The Lt. General spoke directly to the AFL officers and soldiers, calling them “guardians of peace” whose discipline and professionalism form the cornerstone of Liberia’s democracy. “Wear your uniforms with pride and humility that comes from serving a cause greater than oneself,” he said.
