By Nkechi Eze
In a strong affirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous defence industrial base, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, has reiterated sustained government support for local defence manufacturers, while calling for consistent product quality, rigorous integrity checks, and adherence to export-ready standards capable of positioning Nigerian-made defence equipment competitively within Africa and beyond.
Mr. Pheelangwa gave the assurance on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, during familiarisation visits to two major indigenous defence manufacturing companies in Ogun State Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPRIL) and Proforce Group Limited, where he commended their growing contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture and their expanding footprint within the regional defence market.
In an official statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu, the Permanent Secretary described the visits as part of the Ministry’s continuous engagement with strategic defence industry partners, aimed at strengthening collaboration, understanding operational realities, and ensuring that government support aligns with national defence production priorities.
At EPRIL, Mr. Pheelangwa praised the company for its consistent role in producing military-operational tools and security-related equipment that directly support ongoing Nigerian military operations and other security engagements across Africa. He urged the management to sustain the production of viable, durable, and mission-relevant equipment that meets the evolving needs of military formations, stressing that quality and reliability remain central to operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
The Permanent Secretary noted that in recognition of the critical role played by EPRIL, the Ministry of Defence has continued to demonstrate strong institutional commitment towards supporting the company’s projects and initiatives. He disclosed that since assuming office, the Ministry has provided sustained assistance by facilitating the processing of End User Certificates and securing tax exemptions from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service, measures designed to ease the importation of essential raw materials required for local production.
Mr. Pheelangwa emphasised that deeper collaboration with the Ministry must go hand in hand with continuous integrity checks on all items produced and supplied, particularly those destined for clients outside Nigeria. He stressed that the quality of products and the standard of services rendered to clients would ultimately determine the level of patronage, credibility, and international acceptance enjoyed by Nigerian defence manufacturers.
Responding, the Managing Director of EPRIL, Mr. Kola Balogun, expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for the visit and for the consistent support extended by the Ministry. He pledged the company’s continued collaboration with the Ministry of Defence in all its operations, reaffirming EPRIL’s commitment to maintaining high production standards and supporting Nigeria’s security objectives.
EPRIL, an indigenous defence company, specialises in the production of military-operational tools and a wide range of security equipment that support Nigerian military operations. The company is regarded as one of the key local suppliers to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and also serves international clients within the African region.
The Permanent Secretary also paid a similar familiarisation visit to Proforce Group Limited, where he acknowledged the company’s remarkable growth over the years into Nigeria’s first and only indigenous defence contractor specialising in the design and manufacture of armoured vehicles and security systems for land and naval applications.
Mr. Pheelangwa commended Proforce for its sustained contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture through the provision of comprehensive defence solutions that enhance operational capability and force protection. He encouraged the company to continue producing viable and durable platforms that effectively support military formations within Nigeria and across Africa.
Reiterating the Ministry’s support, the Permanent Secretary again highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate End User Certificates and secure tax exemptions from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service to ease the importation of raw materials critical to Proforce’s manufacturing processes. He called for sustained and strengthened collaboration between the company and the Ministry in pursuit of shared national defence industrial objectives.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Proforce Group Limited, Engr. Ade Ogundeyin, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s recognition of the company’s achievements and contributions. He pledged Proforce’s continued collaboration with the Ministry of Defence in all its operations, assuring of the company’s commitment to innovation, quality production, and long-term support for Nigeria’s defence and security sector.
