By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing dependence on foreign military equipment as Nigeria steadily advances toward self-reliance in the production of military hardware.
The Defence Minister toured the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot (CED), Buffalo Engineering Technical Services Limited (BETSL), and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).
He was accompanied by senior military leaders including Major General M.L.D. Saraso, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General A.K. Ibrahim, Commandant of NDA; and Air Vice Marshal Sani Labaran Rabe, Commandant of AFIT.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Badaru commended the progress made in the domestic production and refurbishment of military equipment.
He highlighted the government’s shift away from foreign procurement, pointing to various platforms now being developed and restored locally, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), bulletproof glass, spare parts, and surveillance drones.
“The ongoing efforts in training, local production, and refurbishment of military assets are commendable,” he stated.
"I witnessed impressive capabilities in our facilitie damaged MRAPs, APCs, and tanks are being effectively refurbished and returned to service, while new combat platforms are already being deployed to operational theaters.”
Badaru emphasized the critical importance of Training, Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) in achieving operational excellence and sustainable defense capacity.
Additionally, he called for deeper collaboration among military institutions and greater investment in RDI to reduce reliance on imported military hardware.
He also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening national defense, citing the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill into law. The legislation is expected to boost local production, repair, and supply of military hardware for Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies.
The Minister underscored the need for continued support to institutions such as NDA, AFIT, CED, and BETSL to foster the development of skilled and dedicated military personnel and to sustain the momentum in indigenous defense production.
With these ongoing reforms and innovations, Nigeria is positioning itself to become a key player in military manufacturing within the region, reinforcing its capacity to defend its sovereignty and contribute to continental security.
