Reps Seek FG’s Funding to Boost Local Drone Industry for National Security
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide structured financial support to indigenous drone manufacturing companies as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and boost local defence production.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Ademorin Kuye (APC–Lagos) during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
The lawmakers specifically urged the Federal Government to support verified Nigerian drone manufacturers, including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Pro-force and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), to enhance their production capacity.
The House also called for the activation of appropriate financing mechanisms through institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and other relevant agencies to enable local manufacturers to scale up operations and meet military procurement standards.
Presenting the motion, Kuye said Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and vandalism, which have placed enormous pressure on the country’s armed forces and other security agencies.
He noted that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become indispensable tools for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and counter-insurgency operations in modern warfare.
According to him, non-state armed groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are already deploying commercially available drones against Nigerian troops, underscoring the urgency of strengthening indigenous drone production.
Kuye recalled that Nigeria recorded a significant milestone in 2018 with the development of the Tsaigumi UAV by the Air Force Institute of Technology, describing it as a commendable step toward local defence innovation.
Read Also:
However, he observed that Nigeria’s drone manufacturing ecosystem remains largely private sector-driven, undercapitalised and inadequately supported by government policies.
He attributed the slow growth of the sector to the absence of comprehensive technology transfer frameworks, legislative incentives and dedicated defence industrial zones, which he said have limited its expansion and strategic impact.
To address these gaps, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Science and Technology, and Industry and Commerce to develop a National Drone Industrialisation Policy (NDIP) aimed at transforming the country’s drone manufacturing sector into a structured, state-supported strategic industry.
The committees were also directed to collaborate with relevant government agencies to establish technology transfer partnerships with reputable international drone manufacturers, facilitate the training of Nigerian engineers, promote local production and progressively reduce dependence on imported drone components.
In addition, the lawmakers tasked the Committees on Defence, Industry and Commerce with working alongside relevant agencies to establish dedicated Defence Industrial Zones for drone manufacturing, research and maintenance, supported by fiscal incentives, infrastructure and an enabling regulatory framework to attract both local and foreign investment.
The House further directed the committees to review existing laws governing defence procurement, local content, aviation and investment incentives with a view to introducing amendments that would encourage drone industrialisation, including tax incentives and stronger protection for intellectual property developed by Nigerian engineers.
In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu directed the committees to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative consideration.
The motion reflects growing legislative support for expanding Nigeria’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity as part of broader efforts to enhance national security and reduce dependence on imported military technology.
By PRNigeria
