The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, has described Nigeria’s foreign policy as Afrocentric.

Mr Kana said this when he hosted the delegation of the United States Air War College participants, undertaking a foreign study tour of allied countries, at the Ship House, Abuja.

The defence ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The permanent secretary said Nigeria had played a major role in providing peace support operations to many African countries such as Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Sudan and Chad, among others.

He also said the federal government would continue reinforcing bilateral relations with the U.S. on military cooperation.

According to him, Nigeria and the U.S. have enjoyed mutual bilateral relations over the years following establishing a diplomatic relationship in 1960.

He noted that the inauguration of the civilian president in 1999 deepened the relationship between both countries and improved the cooperation on foreign policy goals such as regional peacekeeping.

Mr Kana added that the U.S. Air War College participants’ visit would help both countries reinforce military cooperation as a tool for future collaboration.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Gunter John, appreciated the ministry for the audience.

He said the visit would allow them to learn from Nigeria’s approach to defence management and structures.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the ministry on the existing bilateral cooperation of both countries. 

(NAN)