Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has called for international cooperation to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity during a symposium in Rennes, France, held on Saturday, June 20, 2024.

The event, organized by French Army Chief of Staff General Schill Pierre, was titled “Peace, Security and the Commitment of the Youth” and saw participation from 13 national army chiefs across Africa.

According to Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, General Schill emphasized the symposium’s aim to evolve the French Army’s engagement strategy with African partners towards a more holistic and mutually beneficial framework beyond mere military collaboration.

General Lagbaja’s presentation, “Armies and the Protection of their National Territory: Legal Framework, Issues and Challenges,” highlighted the difficulties armies face in maintaining national borders amidst challenges posed by non-state actors and nations flouting international laws. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts that go beyond military engagements to address territorial security concerns effectively.

General Lagbaja and his Ivorian counterpart were recognized as the only foreign delegates to present papers at the symposium. Following the event, Lagbaja, along with Maj Gen John Ochai, Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), attended the cadet commissioning ceremony at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, Coetquida. During the visit, discussions were also held on potential bilateral cadet training engagements.