Nigerian and South African armies have pledged to strengthen collaboration to create conducive environments for their peoples to pursue economic activities.

The Chiefs of Army Staff of Nigeria and South Africa, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai and Lieutenant-General Windile Yam, made the pledge at a joint news briefing at the army headquarters in Abuja.

Buratai said when the armies of both countries were strong and collaborating, there would be security for their economies to thrive and be in a better position to tackle security challenges confronting the African continent.

He also said when both armies collaborated, they could address some of the security challenges confronting the African continent.

Earlier, Yam said the reason armies existed was to ensure security and peace so that their countries’ economies would thrive.

He described the Nigerian army as “very experienced” in Africa which had worked to ensure peace and stability, not only in Nigeria, West Africa sub region, but the continent in general, saying cooperation between both armies was imperative, hence he visited to explore ways to strength it.