By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to advancing indigenous defence technology as a strategic pathway to strengthening operational effectiveness and combating insurgency across the country.
The commitment was demonstrated on 4 March 2026 with the formal handover of 15 locally produced Vanquisher Light Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Nigerian Army. The platforms were manufactured by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in collaboration with Vanquish Industries Limited and the Command Engineering Depot.
In an official signed statement, the Public Relations Officer of DICON, Captain Jafiada Chinda, disclosed that the handover ceremony marked a significant step in Nigeria’s journey toward military hardware self-reliance.
Represented at the event by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, Lieutenant General Shuaibu described the occasion as a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in defence production. He stressed that indigenous defence innovation remains critical to achieving combat readiness and operational superiority, particularly within Nigeria’s complex and evolving security landscape.
According to him, platforms such as the Vanquisher Light APC are specifically designed to address Nigeria’s unique operational challenges while enhancing the Army’s responsiveness to emerging threats. He noted that investing in local production would not only strengthen the Army’s operational capacity but also reduce capital flight, stimulate the national economy, and reposition the Armed Forces of Nigeria toward greater self-reliance.
The Army Chief described the ceremony as the first of many milestones in the Nigerian Army’s sustained drive to promote homegrown military technology and innovation. He encouraged DICON to maintain its momentum in research and development and to continue producing high-quality military hardware that meets global standards.
In his remarks, the Director-General of DICON, Major General B. I. Alaya, expressed profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support and confidence in DICON as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s military-industrial advancement. He also commended the Chief of Army Staff for his consistent backing, which he said was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.
Major General Alaya further urged heads of security agencies and sister services to emulate the Nigerian Army by prioritizing and patronizing indigenous defence products in order to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s military-industrial complex.
The handover of the 15 Vanquisher Light APCs signals a renewed push by the Nigerian Army to deepen local content in defence procurement, strengthen national security architecture, and position Nigeria as a growing force in indigenous military technology development.
