Cyber-security and airspace technology were high on the agenda at the South Africa-Nigeria Defence Committee meeting yesterday.
Delegations from both countries, led by SA secretary for defence Sam Gulube and Nigerian ambassador Danjuma Nanpon Sheni, attended the meeting which reviewed progress made through a defence collaboration between the two countries.
Gulube said that both militaries faced limitations and challenges related to resources and funding, a collaboration could address many needs.
“On the issue of cyber-security, both militaries are in the process of strengthening and developing our systems but the field is ever-changing and evolving.
"Through jointly acquiring infrastructure and expertise we could enhance both our defensive capabilities,” said Gulube.
He said that the Nigerian aerospace experts involved in the meeting had “opened their eyes” to technology but that the technologies lay with the South African Space Agency.
The two countries considered collaboration in specialised training that would enhance the capability of both countries' military against global security threats, agreeing to carry out joint exercises to enhance their capabilities.
The Nigerian delegation invited the SA military for a training exchange at their world renowned Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji, in Kaduna state.
Sheni said that collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria, to establish and localise military production, would go a long way in attending to challenges of resources and funding.
“Our government developed the idea of government-to-government procurement, eliminating a situation of purchasing from third parties and formed the basis for this co-operation.
South Africa has a relative advantage over us in military infrastructure, as our country has a clear focus to have such an infrastructure,” said Sheni.
These relations were “extremely strategic” and “very important” said Sheni, extending an invitation to the SA delegation to the fourth session of the defence committee in Nigeria at a later stage.