Bangladesh has pledged to deepen maritime security and defence cooperation with Nigeria, with both countries exploring stronger collaboration in naval training, technology, shipbuilding and defence-industrial development. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, Mainul Kabir, made the commitment on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, stressing the need to translate the longstanding ties between both countries into practical cooperation in the maritime and defence sectors.
Kabir identified maritime security, professional training, technology exchange, naval shipbuilding and defence-industrial development as priority areas for closer collaboration. Responding, Abbas highlighted Nigeria’s experience in combating piracy and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, saying this could provide a basis for professional exchanges and shared learning between the two navies.
He also called for stronger cooperation among regional navies to tackle maritime threats that cross national borders, citing Nigeria’s participation in multinational maritime security initiatives, including the Combined Maritime Task Force, as a potential framework for addressing security challenges along the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border.
The meeting further explored cooperation in naval technology, shipbuilding and indigenous defence production. The Nigerian Navy also expressed interest in Bangladesh’s garment industry as a possible source of expertise for strengthening local production of military uniforms.