Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign new security cooperation agreement

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a new security cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in military operations, training, intelligence sharing, and joint activities.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Dr. Khaled H. Al-Biyari represented Saudi Arabia.

Matawalle described the agreement as “an important step that will further enhance security operations in Nigeria.”

The pact comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with student abductions, bandit attacks, and threats posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North.

The agreement will run for five years before review, and either country may withdraw after giving a three-month notice.

Security experts, including Dr. Riyauddeen Zubairu Maitama, say the partnership could significantly boost counterterrorism efforts, stating that Saudi Arabia is among the countries making major contributions in that field”.