Nigeria and Russia have signed a new military-technical cooperation agreement, a statement by the Nigerian Embassy in Russia said.

The agreement which provides a legal framework for the supply and servicing of military equipment, training of personnel as well as technology transfer, was signed in Russia on Monday.

While the Defence Minister, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd.), who led top military officials to Russia, signed on behalf of Nigeria, Dmitry Shugaev, Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation signed on behalf of Russia.

In attendance at the signing were the Nigerian Ambassador, Professor Abdullahi Shehu, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo, and representatives from the Army and Air Force.

The signing marks the termination of the 20-year similar agreement entered on March 6, 2001.

Shehu explained that the partnership was purely for complementary and mutual benefits.

Nigeria and Russia had both signed military cooperation, trade agreements in 2017 and 2019,

The 2017 deal allows Nigerian servicemen to be trained in Russia’s military educational establishments as both countries agreed to exchange peacekeeping experience on piracy and terrorism.

In the 2019 accord, the cooperation extended from military collaboration to oil, gas, trade, rail development, among others.

The pact was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit. Nigeria is also seeking the advancement of nuclear power.