The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, Miah Md Mainul Kabir, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening maritime security and defence cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.

Kabir made this known yesterday during a high-level engagement with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), where he identified maritime security, professional training, technology exchange, naval shipbuilding and defence-industrial development as key areas for stronger collaboration.

He said the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh should be translated into practical areas of cooperation, particularly in the maritime and defence sectors.

Responding, the Chief of the Naval Staff appreciated the High Commissioner and his delegation for the visit and highlighted Nigeria’s operational experience in combating piracy and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

The CNS said Nigeria’s experience offered opportunities for professional exchanges and shared learning between the two countries, stressing the need for stronger cooperation among regional navies in tackling maritime threats that transcend national boundaries.

He also referenced Nigeria’s participation in multinational maritime security initiatives, including its engagement with the Combined Maritime Task Force, as a possible framework for addressing maritime security challenges along the Myanmar-Bangladesh maritime border.
The meeting also explored opportunities for training and professional exchanges, naval technology, shipbuilding and indigenous defence-industrial development.

The Nigerian Navy expressed interest in Bangladesh’s garment manufacturing industry as a potential area for knowledge sharing to strengthen local production of military uniforms.

Both sides also discussed prospects for technical cooperation in naval shipbuilding and other areas of mutual interest.

The engagement ended with an invitation to the Chief of the Naval Staff to visit Bangladesh to further advance the areas of cooperation discussed.

The Director, Naval Information, Navy CaptainAbiodun Folorunsho, stated that
the meeting underscored the importance of sustained engagement between the Nigerian Navy and navies of other countries in strengthening maritime security, enhancing professional and technical capacity, promoting indigenous defence-industrial capabilities and advancing mutually beneficial bilateral relations.