Matawalle: Nigeria Will No Longer Depend on Foreign Nations for Defence Hardware
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria from a consumer to a proud producer of defence hardware, leveraging local resources, skills, and industrial capacity to strengthen national security and self-reliance.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, made the declaration during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Steel Development on Monday, at the Ship House, Abuja.
The agreement marks a strategic partnership between two critical national agencies the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited to build the foundation for Nigeria’s homegrown military-industrial complex.
Describing the collaboration as “a bold and visionary move,” Matawalle said it aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that the era of overdependence on foreign nations for military equipment is coming to an end.
“For too long, Nigeria has depended on foreign nations for essential defence equipment, yet we have all it takes — the raw materials, the human capital, and the expertise to manufacture these products locally,” the Minister said. “This partnership reaffirms Mr. President’s directive that we must rely on ourselves, build our own capacity, and secure our nation through innovation.”
He explained that the agreement represents a turning point in Nigeria’s industrial and defence history, bridging the gap between resource availability and technological application in military production.
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In his remarks, the Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Audu Abubakar, described the MoU as a practical step towards revitalizing Ajaokuta Steel Complex, transforming it from a dormant national asset into a vital contributor to national security and industrial growth.
Dr. Abubakar disclosed that the facility’s engineering workshops will soon be engaged in the production of essential military hardware, including helmets, bulletproof vests, ammunition, and rifles. He also revealed that part of the Ajaokuta complex would be allocated for the construction of a Military-Industrial Complex, further advancing Nigeria’s vision for self-sufficient defence manufacturing.
“This collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s determination to revitalize strategic national assets for innovation and to enhance the nation’s security architecture through local industrial capacity,” Abubakar said.
The event’s highlight was the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between both ministries, witnessed by senior officials and industry stakeholders.
Both ministers commended President Tinubu for his foresight in promoting inter-ministerial collaboration to achieve national security objectives through indigenous solutions.
They pledged to ensure effective implementation of the agreement to pave the way for sustainable defence production, industrial development, and economic diversification in Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
