FG moves to make Nigeria a producer of defence hardware
The Federal Government has announced plans to transform Nigeria from a mere consumer of defence equipment into a producer, leveraging local resources, talent, and industrial capacity to build a sustainable defence industry.
The commitment was made by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Steel Development on Monday, 9th November 2025, at Ship House, Abuja. The partnership brings together the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in a move hailed as a turning point in Nigeria’s industrial and defence landscape.
Describing the collaboration as “bold and visionary,” Dr. Matawalle said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and addresses the longstanding gap between Nigeria’s abundant resources and technological application in defence manufacturing.
“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,” Dr. Matawalle stated. “This partnership reaffirms the President’s directive that we must rely on ourselves, build our own capacity, and secure our nation through innovation.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Audu Abubakar, said the once-dormant Ajaokuta Steel Complex is being repositioned as a strategic contributor to national security and industrial growth. Under the agreement, the complex’s engineering workshops will produce military essentials such as helmets, vests, bullets, and rifles. Dr. Abubakar also revealed plans to allocate land for a Military-Industrial Complex, a critical step toward establishing a robust defence industrial base.
He added that the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s determination to revitalize strategic national assets and enhance Nigeria’s security architecture through indigenous production.
The highlight of the ceremony was the MoU signing, with both ministers commending President Tinubu’s leadership in fostering synergy between ministries. They pledged to ensure the agreements are fully implemented, setting the stage for sustainable defence production and industrial development in Nigeria.
Enderline Chukwu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, signed off on the release for the Ministry of Defence.
