By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to promoting local content in military equipment production to enhance operational self-reliance and strengthen national security.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a working visit to the PROFORCE Group office complex in Ogun State, where he emphasised the importance of indigenous defence manufacturing in meeting the Army’s operational requirements.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said sustained investment in domestic defence production would reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, improve equipment availability and strengthen the military’s capacity to respond to evolving security threats.
He commended PROFORCE Group for its innovation and contributions to indigenous defence manufacturing, particularly in the production of armoured vehicles and protective equipment required for military operations.
The Army chief stressed that developing home-grown defence capabilities remained essential to achieving long-term military self-reliance and building a resilient domestic defence industrial base.
He also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive for local content development and defence industrialisation, noting that a robust indigenous defence industry would promote technology transfer and strengthen the country’s security architecture.
In his response, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PROFORCE Group, Mr Ade Ogundeyin, appreciated the COAS for the visit and reiterated the company’s commitment to producing quality defence equipment that meets the Nigerian Army’s operational requirements.
