Nigeria will begin large-scale local production of defence {hardware} within the subsequent year to meet home army necessities and export gear to different African international locations, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has mentioned.
Mr Musa disclosed this in a press release on Tuesday following the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), which introduced collectively African governments, army establishments, defence producers and know-how innovators.
He mentioned the deliberate production would help Nigeria’s efforts to cut back dependence on imported army gear and strengthen its home defence manufacturing capability.
“Within the next year, Nigeria will commence large-scale local production of defence hardware to meet domestic requirements and support exports to other African countries,” Mr Musa mentioned.
“This is an important step towards building a self-reliant defence industry, strengthening our national security and positioning Nigeria as a contributor to Africa’s defence manufacturing capacity.”
The minister mentioned the federal government was pursuing local production of army gear, weapons, ammunition and different important defence methods by way of funding, know-how switch, analysis and collaboration with worldwide producers.
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He mentioned the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) was central to efforts to broaden home manufacturing capability and produce gear required by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
PREMIUM TIMES experiences that Nigeria at present imports most of its army {hardware} from international locations such because the US, France, Italy and China.
Mr Musa mentioned AFRIDEX would additionally present alternatives for Nigeria to deepen bilateral and multilateral safety relations, trade experience and set up partnerships aimed toward addressing safety challenges throughout the continent.
The exhibition lined land, air, maritime, house and cyber safety, with a deal with connecting Africa’s safety necessities with the know-how, experience, funding and industrial capability wanted to tackle them.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous defence production and initiatives aimed toward strengthening nationwide safety.
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