Nigeria is preparing to start massive domestic production of military hardware within the next twelve months to equip its security forces and export to other African nations.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), disclosed this during the inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition, known as AFRIDEX, held in Lagos, according to THISDAYLIVE. He called on private investors and foreign partners to explore opportunities in the country's expanding defence industry.
A statement released by the Ministry of Defence’s Chief Information Officer, Dr Queenet Iheoma-Hart, noted that side sessions during the exhibition are aimed at deepening ties among governments, military institutions, and commercial partners. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, also noted that the gathering serves as a practical channel for advancing national security objectives.
Speaking on local capacity, the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Major General B.I. Alaya, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for backing the corporation. He committed to stepping up factory output across the agency's manufacturing lines.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Lagos State Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as well as ECOWAS Commission representative Birame Diop. Both speakers shared hope that the forum would help African states rebuild and expand their domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
After the opening events, the defence minister toured various national pavilions and held a high-level closed-door meeting with delegates from the United States Africa Command.
The gathering brought together key security figures, including the Chief of Defence Staff, active and retired service chiefs, the head of the National Assembly Committee on Defence, and delegates from over 20 African nations.
