By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria from a consumer of defence hardware into a proud producer, leveraging local capacity, talent, and natural resources to strengthen national security and industrial growth.
This was made known by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Steel Development, held on Monday, November 9, 2025, at the Ship House, Abuja. The agreement formalizes a strategic partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, marking a new phase in Nigeria’s pursuit of defence self-sufficiency.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu, Dr. Matawalle described the collaboration as a “bold and visionary move” that aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the partnership represents a historic turning point in Nigeria’s industrial and defence evolution, aiming to bridge the gap between the country’s abundant resources and the technological capacity required for local military production.
“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,” Matawalle said. “This partnership reaffirms Mr. President’s directive that we must rely on ourselves, build our own capacity, and secure our nation through innovation.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Audu Abubakar, stated that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, once seen as a dormant national asset, is now being repositioned as a vital contributor to both national security and industrial growth. He revealed that the agreement will enable Ajaokuta’s engineering workshops to be utilized for the production of military-grade equipment, including helmets, bulletproof vests, bullets, and rifles.
Dr. Audu further disclosed plans to allocate land within the Ajaokuta complex for the establishment of a Military-Industrial Complex, describing it as a major step toward realizing Nigeria’s vision of a self-sustaining defence industrial base.
He added that the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s determination to revitalize strategic national assets and enhance national security through innovation-driven local industrial capacity.
The highlight of the ceremony was the official signing of the MoU by both ministers, who commended President Tinubu for his foresight and leadership in fostering synergy among ministries to achieve national security objectives through indigenous solutions.
Both ministries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement, which they said would pave the way for sustainable defence production, job creation, and industrial development across Nigeria.
