Nigeria is making steady progress in reducing its reliance on foreign military equipment by prioritizing local production and refurbishment of defence assets, according to the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide Mati Ali, the minister said the shift is aimed at fostering local capacity for the production, repair, and supply of military hardware and ordnance, marking a key step toward national self-reliance.
“The shift to local production is expected to boost efficiency and reduce reliance on imported hardware,” Badaru stated.
The minister made the remarks following a two-day inspection tour of critical military institutions and facilities in Kaduna, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Army Command Engineering Depot, Buffalo Engineering Technical Services Limited, and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology.
He expressed satisfaction with the training initiatives and ongoing work to refurbish and manufacture military equipment locally, describing them as vital pillars in Nigeria’s long-term defence strategy.
During his tour, Badaru visited workshops where combat platforms, bulletproof glass, spare parts, and surveillance UAVs are being produced or repaired.
“Some of the equipment successfully constructed and repaired are made readily available for redeployment, while others are already deployed back to theatres of operations,” he said.
Commending the military’s resourcefulness, he underscored the importance of Training, Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) in advancing the country’s military capabilities and achieving operational excellence.
He urged greater collaboration among institutions and called for continued investment in military research and innovation.
Badaru also emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s defence infrastructure, citing the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill into law as a significant milestone.
What you should know
Nigeria is transitioning from dependence on foreign military procurement to local defence manufacturing, with facilities in Kaduna already producing and refurbishing combat equipment.
This move is part of a broader push for national self-reliance and improved military efficiency under President Tinubu’s administration.
