The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, says Nigeria is steadily moving away from relying on foreign military supplies, and is now focusing more on building and repairing equipment locally.
This move, according to Badaru, is a major step toward helping the country become more self-sufficient in defense production and national security. He said this while speaking to journalists following his two-day visit to several key military institutions and engineering facilities located in Kaduna.
In a press release shared on Wednesday by his media assistant, Mati Ali, the minister explained, “this aims to facilitate local production, repairs, refurbishment, and supply of military hardware and ordnance.”
During his tour, Badaru visited the Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot, Buffalo Engineering Technical Services Limited, and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology. At each of these places, he saw firsthand the progress being made in building, repairing, and maintaining military assets within the country.
He noted that these efforts will not only improve efficiency but also reduce the military’s heavy dependence on imported weapons and equipment. “The shift to local production is expected to boost efficiency and reduce reliance on imported hardware,” he stated.
The minister also toured multiple workshops and expressed satisfaction with the equipment being developed and repaired. He said several military tools, including bulletproof glass, spare parts, new combat systems, and surveillance drones, were already being produced locally.
“Some of the equipment successfully constructed and repaired are made readily available for redeployment, while others are already deployed back to theatres of operations,” he said.
Badaru praised the Armed Forces for their dedication and noted the importance of training, research, and innovation. He pointed out that training is a major part of Nigeria’s defense strategy and should not be overlooked.
He also urged continued partnerships between institutions and more investments in research and development related to military equipment and technology.
Speaking further, the minister noted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s defense system. He pointed to the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill into law as proof of the government’s commitment to improving military capacity through local efforts.
