The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defense capabilities through the increased use of locally produced military equipment.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, made the disclosure during a two-day inspection tour of key military institutions in Kaduna, including the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the tour, the Minister said the move was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to reduce dependence on foreign arms and boost local content in national security operations.
“Our focus is now on self-reliance. We want to harness our domestic capacity to manufacture, refurbish, and supply the necessary military hardware for the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Badaru stated.
He expressed satisfaction with ongoing innovations at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), including the production of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, small arms, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the Minister, the progress reflects a new era for the Nigerian military, built on local ingenuity and technical excellence.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by top military officials and defense stakeholders. He noted that the government will continue to invest in research, training, and infrastructure to support the initiative.
This development comes as Nigeria seeks to boost its capacity to tackle insecurity through indigenous solutions while also exploring the potential to export military equipment to neighboring African countries in the near future.
