Nigeria will begin large-scale local production of defence {hardware} within the following year to meet home navy necessities and export tools to different African international locations, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has mentioned.
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 know-how innovators.
He mentioned the deliberate production would assist Nigeria’s efforts to cut back dependence on imported navy tools 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 navy tools, weapons, ammunition and different important defence techniques by 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 tools required by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
PREMIUM TIMES stories that Nigeria presently imports most of its navy {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, change experience and set up partnerships geared toward addressing safety challenges throughout the continent.
The exhibition lined land, air, maritime, area and cyber safety, with a give attention to 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 geared toward strengthening nationwide safety.
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