He said the collaboration should extend beyond military equipment acquisition to enhanced training exchange programmes, necessary for the injection of fresh ideas.

The Nigerian leader, a retired army general, recalled that he attended a course at the Indian Defence College in 1965.

Earlier, the Indian Army Chief met with his Nigerian counterpart, Lieutenant General Martin Luther Agwai, at the army headquarters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

During the meeting, Singh said his visit was aimed at helping Nigeria to upgrade its military equipment, enhancing military-to-military cooperation, sharing experiences in training, low intensity conflict, as well as joint exercises and United Nations operations.

It is also to help Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and general and equipment modernisation scheme.

"We are also going to share the concepts and doctrinaire of warfare of the future. We have to explore how to doctrinairely prepare ourselves for the challenges of the future, how to help each other to ensure what we have is used, upgraded and modernised," Singh said.

He added: "Also, the relationship between our two countries has been historical. We consider Nigeria as one of the most important countries in Africa and the sub-continent. We have common ideas on the United Nations restructuring, the South-South cooperation and the Group of Four."

Agwai told his colleague: "Through our interactions, we would be able to learn further how to sharpen our professional skills through training and how we can train mutually based on our experiences. We also must learn how the Indian Army has been the stabilisation factor for the nation`s growth but not an alternative source of government."

Singh`s itinerary includes visits to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in the northern city of Kaduna, the Infantry Corps Centre and School (ICCS), and a courtesy call on the traditional ruler, Oba of Lagos.