UK-Nigeria Pact to Drive Defence Innovation, Joint Ventures
The United Kingdoms and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence ties through strategic partnerships aimed at driving innovation, industrial development, and joint production ventures.
A statement by Ministry of Defence said the commitment was reinforced during a high-level meeting between Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, and Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), at the British Parliament’s House of Lords.
The meeting, held against the backdrop of global security challenges, focused on boosting bilateral cooperation between the two nations—especially in the areas of defence manufacturing, technology transfer, and specialized training.
Central to the discussions was the restructuring of Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), the country’s key defence production institution.
Ambassador Aduda stressed the Federal Government’s resolve to transform DICON into a commercially viable and investor-friendly organization capable of meeting local defence needs and contributing to regional security.
He called for a clearer separation between DICON’s regulatory and commercial functions to attract credible global partners and ensure transparency.
“In its current form, DICON holds significant potential, but unlocking it requires a modernized governance framework that welcomes foreign direct investment,” he said.
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“With structured reforms, we can foster local innovation and build international partnerships that position Nigeria as a defence manufacturing hub in Africa.”
In response, Lord Marland welcomed the initiative and expressed the UK’s willingness to support Nigeria’s defence sector transformation.
He emphasized the role of institutions like CWEIC in connecting UK-based defence and security firms with Nigerian counterparts, noting that such collaboration could lead to impactful results in technology co-development and capacity building.
The discussion also touched on opportunities for UK-Nigeria cooperation in infrastructure investment, technical training programs, and defence-related business-to-business linkages. Both sides agreed to establish a follow-up framework involving public and private sector stakeholders from both countries.
The goal is to lay the groundwork for sustained collaboration through roundtable talks, technical assessments, and joint innovation projects.
Ambassador Aduda, a former Governor at OPEC and recipient of the African Achievers Award, described the meeting as “a bold step toward reshaping Nigeria’s defence architecture.”
He said engagements like this demonstrate the importance of visionary leadership and cross-border partnerships in ensuring national security and industrial resilience.
The Ministry of Defence says the UK-Nigeria defence pact is a strategic milestone that will strengthen Nigeria’s self-reliance in security matters, boost local manufacturing capacity, and support broader economic development goals.
By PRNigeria
