A team of senior security professionals from Nigeria’s National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) is in Rwanda for a study tour designed to explore regional security dynamics and
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) confirmed the visit in a statement released on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 explaining that the students are here to deepen their understanding of Rwanda’s approach to managing non-state actors.
The visit is part of the institute’s Executive Intelligence Management Course, which trains high-ranking intelligence officers and security leaders to address evolving national and regional security threats.
The program equips participants with skills in strategic intelligence collection, analysis, and policy formulation to respond to complex security challenges in the African context.
During their visit, the delegation received a comprehensive briefing from Col François Regis Gatarayiha, Head of the RDF’s Defence Intelligence Department.
He discussed Rwanda’s experiences with non-state actors, the role they play in shaping regional peace and security, and the challenges and opportunities that arise from managing such entities.
“The course is intended to enable the participants examine issues of non-state actors as they relate to security, economy and how the dynamics are being managed in Rwanda,” the RDF stated.
Rwanda has increasingly become a reference point for African nations seeking to improve their internal security mechanisms and manage threats posed by non-state actors, including armed groups and informal networks.
The country’s integrated approach to security management continues to draw interest from partners across the continent.
The visit also reflects the growing cooperation between Rwanda and Nigeria in the fields of security and strategic policy development.
This engagement follows previous educational exchanges, including a similar visit by students from Nigeria’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to the Rwanda National Police (RNP), where they explored how Rwanda’s security apparatus supports economic sectors such as agriculture.
Such visits underscore Rwanda’s emerging role as a case study in balancing national development with sustainable security reforms and regional cooperation.
