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Press Notice: 203/2005
20 September 2005

PRESS NOTICE: UK trains an extra 17,000 Nigerian peacekeepers

An extra £200,000 is to be allocated to assist training of over 17,000 Nigerian troops as peacekeepers in Africa, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced whilst visiting the peacekeeping training school in Jaji, Nigeria.

The UK has already contributed over £400,000 towards building the school and providing British Military trainers.

Visiting construction of the new Infantry Centre Adam Ingram said:

"Africa has been a major focus for the UK throughout its presidencies of the G8 and the EU and it will remain a focus long after.

"Maintaining peace after the end of conflict is vital for Africa's prosperity. Nigeria is playing a major role in keeping that peace in various African states, including currently in the Sudan.

"I am very pleased that the UK has been able to support the Peacekeeping Wing here at Jaji and that other nations have pledged their support. The additional £200,000 announced today will increase the capacity of the Peacekeeping Wing so that it will train over 17,000 peacekeepers by 2010.  This investment is part of the Prime Minister's pledge to help train 20,000 African Peacekeepers by 2010.

"The UK Armed Forces are world-renowned for their peacekeeping expertise.  Their training here will help Nigeria send effective peacekeeping troops to wherever they are needed in Africa. It is a very effective partnership."

Nigeria is currently the third largest contributor of peacekeepers in the world.  There are over 6,000 Nigerian servicemen deployed on peace support operations throughout Africa. Two Nigerian Battalions are currently on peacekeeping duties in the Sudan. A third battalion will be deploying this week.

Notes to Editors

1. Nigeria decided to develop a purpose built facility to conduct training for all Nigerian battalions going on peace support operation in late 2004. In collaboration with other partner states, it is developing a "Peacekeeping Wing" within the existing Infantry School at Jaji. The UK has already contributed over £400K towards building two schools and providing British military training.

2. The Peacekeeping wing undertakes:

* "Train the trainer" courses for unit trainers at the start of a unit's peace support operations training cycle. These individuals are then equipped to guide training in unit lines.

* Staff officers' training, mine awareness training, logistics training and other specialist courses.

* From the end of 2005, it will be responsible for pre-deployment collective training at the end of the please support operations training cycle.

3. The UK is supporting the project by jointly funding with the Nigerian Army the refurbishment of a group of buildings to house the new Peacekeeping Wing and providing significant funding for the construction of accommodation fro a battalion-level peace support operations training camp.

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