Abuja, Nigeria – For dem wey dey reason say Nigeria no fit manufacture wetin dem go use for matter, make dem hear dis one. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, come announce say dem go upgrade Nigeria local arms production capacity, add more structure for military procurement and make pesin no dey depend on foreign supplier again. Na wa! Who sabi say we fit do am like dis?
Matawalle yan say dis initiative na part of government plan to achieve national self-reliance for defence manufacturing. E also talk say the upcoming African Youth Arts Exhibition, wey dem dey call AfriDex 2026, go happen for Lagos from October 26 to 29, 2026. Dis exhibition go be correct opportunity to attract investment into Nigeria local defence technology. So, all those businessmen wey dey use foreign arms, make dem sharpen dem senses o!
According to am, “Dis initiative reflect government commitment to advance indigenous capabilities and ensure sustainable security development.” E no lie sha! If we sabi fit produce our own arms, we go reduce procurement delays and no more wahala when e dey come to imports (less wahala if you ask me).
Dem even dey plan major exhibitions wey go bring global manufacturers, technologists, and security experts from across Africa, Europe and Asia together. Dis four-day event go showcase live demonstrations and exhibition of different defense technologies. Na dis kind of collaboration go open doors for public-private partnerships and attract foreign investments into Nigeria’s growing defence sector.
Matawalle no stop there oh! He come make it clear say AfriDex 2026 no be just exhibition. E fit be strategic gateway to build competitive indigenous defence industry. Wetin we dey talk be say, Nigeria go soon dey poised to become Africa’s leading defence production hub. We go dey snap the fingers of foreign suppliers, no doubt!
Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj. Gen. Babatunde Alaya, also join for the gist. E come give us the rundown say DICON get the capacity to produce 30 million rounds of ammunition yearly. E even talk say dem don enter deal with SPARTA to start local production of gunpowder in less than eight months. Finally, no more foreign gunpowder! We go dey shout afta we don blow something.
As dey talk about machinery, Alaya also mention say several indigenous companies don dey partner to produce mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and other equipment. Companies like Proforce, E-PILS, Vanquish, and Imperial don dey work their brain to make sure say local arms industry dey pop! Na so we go dey secure our land pass.
Nigerians go enjoy the benefits as dis government policy fit tackle the rising security challenges, including terrorism and transnational crime. So, wetin we dey wait for? Na this opportunity we go fit use reclaim our local production glory.
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