Nigeria will begin large-scale local production of defence {hardware} within the subsequent year to meet home navy necessities and export gear to different African international locations, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has stated.
Mr Musa disclosed this in an announcement on Tuesday following the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), which introduced collectively African governments, navy establishments, defence producers and expertise innovators.
He stated the deliberate production would assist Nigeria’s efforts to cut back dependence on imported navy 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 stated.
“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 stated the federal government was pursuing local production of navy gear, weapons, ammunition and different important defence methods by means of funding, expertise switch, analysis and collaboration with worldwide producers.
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He stated 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 stories that Nigeria at present imports most of its navy {hardware} from international locations such because the US, France, Italy and China.
Mr Musa stated 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 coated land, air, maritime, area and cyber safety, with a deal with connecting Africa’s safety necessities with the expertise, experience, funding and industrial capability wanted to handle them.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous defence production and initiatives aimed toward strengthening nationwide safety.
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