By Nkechi Eze
In a renewed effort to deepen bilateral ties in defence and security, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has called for enhanced defence collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The appeal came during a high-level strategic meeting with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), held at the House of Lords in the British Parliament.
According to an official statement signed by the Ministry’s Principal Superintendent of Press, Patience Ituke, the meeting was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to mobilize international partnerships and investments to support Nigeria’s defence industrial transformation agenda, particularly the restructuring of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
Ambassador Aduda, a former Governor of OPEC and now serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable defence solutions amid growing global security complexities. Central to the meeting was the Nigerian government’s plan to reposition DICON as a commercially viable, investor-ready enterprise capable of meeting domestic defence needs while also contributing to regional and global defence initiatives.
He explained that Nigeria was working towards a comprehensive restructuring of DICON to clearly separate its regulatory functions from its commercial and manufacturing operations, stressing that such institutional reform was essential to attract credible private and international partners. “In its current form, DICON possesses significant potential, but it requires a more defined governance and operational structure to attract credible global partners,” Aduda stated. “A restructured DICON, operating within a clearly defined regulatory and commercial framework, will provide the transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence needed to stimulate local innovation and foster international collaboration.”
Lord Marland welcomed Nigeria’s initiative, pledging the UK’s support for the reform and modernization of the Nigerian defence sector. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that facilitate technology co-development, capacity building, and knowledge transfer. He also highlighted the CWEIC’s role in connecting reputable British defence firms with countries seeking to modernize and industrialize their defence architecture, such as Nigeria.
Discussions between both parties also explored practical pathways for collaboration, including foreign direct investment in defence infrastructure, joint production ventures, and specialized training programs tailored to Nigeria’s evolving security architecture. These initiatives, it was agreed, would bolster Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and strengthen broader regional security.
The talks concluded with a mutual agreement to set up a follow-up framework that will bring together relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors in both countries. This framework will include roundtable engagements, technical assessments, and business-to-business linkages designed to chart a viable path for long-term industrial defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Ambassador Aduda, who is a recipient of the African Achievers Award, reiterated Nigeria’s determination to become a leading regional hub for defence innovation and manufacturing. He stressed that through visionary leadership, policy clarity, and international partnerships, Nigeria is poised to reposition its defence industry as a strategic contributor to peace, security, and economic growth.
