Nigeria, Cameroon sign MoU on border security
Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing security along their shared border.
Leah Katung-Babatunde, special media adviser to Christopher Musa, minister of defence, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Musa signed the MoU with Joseph Beti Assomo, minister delegate at the presidency in charge of defence of the Republic of Cameroon, in Yaoundé on Tuesday.
“The signing ceremony in Yaoundé concluded two days of intensive deliberations by defence and security experts from both nations,” the statement reads.
“The agreement establishes a modernised framework to counter emerging threats across both terrestrial and maritime domains.
“The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a renewed framework for cooperation in securing the terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria–Cameroon southern border and reinforces the long-standing defence relationship between both nations.
“Key areas highlighted during the engagements included enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Musa said the MoU would provide a framework for military cooperation between both countries and strengthen efforts to address shared security challenges.
The statement added that discussions also centred on operationalising the combined maritime joint task force to enhance maritime security and protect economic and security interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
On defence industrial cooperation, Katung-Babatunde said Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to collaboration in defence technology and innovation.
Musa noted that limited indigenous production of military hardware remains a major challenge to Africa’s defence capabilities and emphasised the need for stronger regional partnerships.
“The Minister further highlighted the opportunities created under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework and reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development,” the statement added.
“In response, Joseph Beti Assomo, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, expressed interest in advancing cooperation in defence innovation and technology, and confirmed that a formal proposal framework is currently being finalised to concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology.
“The agreement marks a pivotal milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable peace, regional sovereignty, and collaborative defence.”
