By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged the private sector to invest in Nigerian youths and indigenous defence manufacturing to strengthen national security, accelerate economic growth and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign military equipment.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a visit to Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL) in Ogun State, where he emphasised the need to harness the intelligence, creativity and productive capacity of young Nigerians to develop homegrown solutions to the country’s security challenges.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS described Nigeria’s youthful population as a critical national asset whose potential could be harnessed through targeted investments, mentorship and skills development.
He noted that empowering young people with relevant technical skills and opportunities would promote innovation, create employment and strengthen national resilience while contributing to efforts to address the country’s evolving security challenges.
The Army Chief stressed that developing indigenous technological capabilities was essential to reducing reliance on foreign imports and establishing a sustainable domestic defence industrial base capable of meeting the operational requirements of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He called for stronger strategic collaboration among the Nigerian Army, local defence manufacturers and private sector operators to accelerate technology development, improve operational effectiveness and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its national interests.
Shaibu commended EPAIL for developing a skilled and youthful workforce dedicated to producing protective equipment for the military and other security agencies.
He observed that investment in local manufacturing and human capital development would improve troop protection and operational readiness while stimulating industrial growth, encouraging technological innovation and contributing to long-term national security.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPAIL, Engineer Kola Balogun, commended the COAS for sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the country.
Balogun reaffirmed the company’s capacity to supply protective equipment to troops, highlighting the contributions of its young and innovative workforce in developing products tailored to the operational needs of security agencies.
The visit underscores the Nigerian Army’s emphasis on indigenous defence production and youth empowerment as key components of national security, with public-private sector partnerships expected to support technological self-reliance, economic development and the military’s evolving operational requirements.
