FG reaffirms support for indigenous military equipment makers
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting indigenous defence equipment manufacturers, while urging them to maintain high product quality and rigorous integrity checks, particularly for items produced for export.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, gave the assurance on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during separate familiarisation visits to two major indigenous defence companies—Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPRIL) and Proforce Group Limited—both located in Ogun State.
At EPRIL, Pheelangwa commended the company for its contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture and its role in supporting military operations within the country and across the African region. He urged the company to sustain the production of viable, durable, and high-quality equipment capable of meeting both domestic and international operational demands.
He noted that, given EPRIL’s strategic importance to national and regional security, the Ministry of Defence has consistently demonstrated strong institutional support to enable the company deliver on its projects and initiatives.
According to him, since assuming office as Permanent Secretary, the ministry has facilitated several critical processes for the company, including the issuance of End User Certificates and the granting of tax exemptions through the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service, to ease the importation of essential raw materials.
Pheelangwa stressed that sustained collaboration with the ministry would require continuous integrity and quality checks on all items produced and supplied, particularly those destined for clients outside Nigeria.
“The quality of products and services rendered will ultimately determine the level of patronage from both local and international clients,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s defence exports must meet global standards to remain competitive.
Responding, the Managing Director of EPRIL, Mr. Kola Balogun, expressed appreciation for the visit and the consistent support received from the Ministry of Defence. He pledged the company’s continued collaboration with the ministry in all its operations.
EPRIL is an indigenous Nigerian defence company specialising in the production of military operational tools and security-related equipment that support Nigerian military operations. The company is one of the key suppliers to the Nigerian Armed Forces and also serves international clients.
In a similar engagement, the Permanent Secretary also visited Proforce Group Limited, where he acknowledged the company’s growth over the years into Nigeria’s first and only indigenous defence contractor specialising in the design and manufacture of armoured vehicles and security systems for land and naval applications.
He commended Proforce for its contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly through the provision of comprehensive defence solutions that support military operations. Pheelangwa urged the company to sustain the production of durable and reliable equipment for military formations in Nigeria and across Africa.
He reiterated the ministry’s continued support for Proforce, including assistance with End User Certificates and tax exemptions through relevant government agencies to facilitate the importation of raw materials required for its projects. He also called for sustained collaboration between the company and the Ministry of Defence.
The Managing Director of Proforce Group, Engr. Ade Ogundeyin, thanked the ministry for recognising the company’s efforts and reaffirmed Proforce’s commitment to continuous collaboration with the Ministry of Defence in all aspects of its operations.
The visits underscore the Federal Government’s broader drive to strengthen local defence production, reduce dependence on imports, and position Nigeria as a credible hub for defence manufacturing in Africa.
