Nigeria, UK seek stronger defence ties as Aduda pushes for DICON reform
In a renewed push to strengthen defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has called for deeper strategic partnerships anchored on technology transfer, investment, and industrial collaboration.
Ambassador Aduda made the call during a high-level meeting at the British Parliament’s House of Lords, where he met with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
The discussions focused on advancing mutual defence interests in the face of growing global security threats and regional instability.
Top on the agenda was the transformation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the country’s primary defence manufacturing body.
Aduda, who previously served as Nigeria’s Governor at OPEC, stressed the need to restructure DICON to attract foreign direct investment and unlock its full potential.
“DICON has immense capacity to address both local and regional defence needs, but it must be reformed to separate its regulatory duties from its commercial operations.
“A clearly delineated structure will foster efficiency, accountability, and, more importantly, investor confidence”, Aduda said.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the Nigerian Government is committed to positioning DICON as a commercially viable institution that can compete globally while supporting domestic security imperatives.
He said such restructuring would open the door for private sector participation, including partnerships with UK defence firms through platforms like the CWEIC.
In response, Lord Marland welcomed Nigeria’s reform vision and reaffirmed the UK’s interest in fostering deeper ties.
He emphasized the need for partnerships that go beyond trade to include knowledge transfer, technology co-development, and capacity building in military and industrial domains.
“CWEIC stands ready to connect reputable UK defence firms with Nigeria’s defence transformation drive,” Lord Marland said, noting that mutual collaboration in defence production and training will not only bolster Nigeria’s capabilities but also contribute to peace and security across West Africa.
The meeting also explored joint ventures in equipment manufacturing, specialized training programmes for military personnel, and infrastructure investment.
Both parties agreed to establish a follow-up framework that would include technical assessments, business-to-business engagements, and possible roundtable sessions with public and private sector players from both countries.
This initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to assert itself as a regional leader in defence manufacturing and innovation, amid growing calls to reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build sustainable local defence capacity.
Ambassador Aduda’s diplomatic overtures are seen as part of a broader push by the Nigerian Ministry of Defence to modernize its defence institutions and align them with global best practices. His recent recognition with the African Achievers Award highlights his growing influence in both diplomatic and strategic defence circles.
The proposed collaboration marks another significant step in redefining Nigeria-UK relations, this time with an emphasis on security, innovation, and industrial development.
