In a historic move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s self-reliance and industrial capacity, the Federal Government has announced its firm commitment to transforming the nation from a consumer of defence hardware into a proud producer, leveraging local talent, raw materials, and expertise.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Steel Development at the Ship House, Abuja.
The agreement marks a landmark collaboration between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, setting the stage for an integrated defence-industrial base capable of producing essential military equipment locally.
Describing the partnership as“a bold and visionary move that aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Dr. Matawalle said the initiative represents a turning point in Nigeria’s industrial and defence history.
“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,” he said.
“This partnership reaffirms Mr. President’s directive that we must rely on ourselves, build our capacity, and secure our nation through innovation.”
On his part, the Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Audu Abubakar, revealed that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, once regarded as a dormant national asset, is now being repositioned as a critical contributor to national security and industrial growth.
He explained that the agreement would enable Ajaokuta’s engineering workshops to produce key defence components such as helmets, vests, bullets, and rifles, while also allocating land for the construction of a Military-Industrial Complex a major milestone toward building Nigeria’s defence production ecosystem.
Dr. Audu further stressed that the collaboration demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to revitalize strategic national assets, promote innovation, and enhance national security through local industrial capacity.
The high point of the event was the formal signing of the MoU by both ministers, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his foresight and leadership in fostering inter-ministerial synergy to deliver on national security objectives through indigenous solutions.
They reaffirmed their joint commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement, paving the way for sustainable defence manufacturing and industrial development in Nigeria.