Nigeria, Jordan Deepen Military Ties With Defence, Intelligence Pact

By Dr. Emmanuel Daudu

Nigeria has taken a fresh step to strengthen its defence architecture and expand international security partnerships following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan aimed at boosting defence cooperation and intelligence sharing.

The agreement, signed in Amman on Sunday, 10th May 2026, is expected to deepen collaboration between both countries in critical areas including counter-terrorism, military capability development and defence innovation.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, H. E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Major General Yousef A. Alhnaity, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, represented Jordan.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation covering intelligence exchange, defence capability enhancement, joint military training, defence research and industry, as well as mutual support in advancing regional and global peace and security.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Matawalle described the agreement as a major milestone in bilateral relations between both countries and underscored the importance of strategic defence partnerships in responding to evolving global and regional security threats.

“Nigeria and Jordan recognise the value of mutually beneficial cooperation and remain committed to deepening defence ties to promote peace, security, and stability within our respective regions,” he said.

The Minister further highlighted the importance of technology transfer under the agreement, noting that plans for establishing a production line in Nigeria align with the provisions of the DICON Act and support broader efforts to strengthen local defence capacity.

The Ministry stated that the MoU reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria and Jordan to work in good faith, build stronger mutual trust and pursue coordinated action in addressing common security priorities.

The agreement is also expected to open new opportunities for defence collaboration and institutional partnerships between both nations in the years ahead.