SENATOR LAWAN CALLS FOR DEFENCE INNOVATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
Nigeria’s military establishments took a significant step towards self-reliance in defense production as four key institutions appeared before the Senate Committee on Defence to defend their 2025 budget proposals. The institutions included the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Defence Space Agency, and Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
About this Senator Ahmad Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, drummed.
“Today, four military establishments appeared before the Senate Committee on Defence, which I chair, to defend their 2025 budget proposals. They are: the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON); the Defence Research and Development Bureau; Defence Space Agency; and Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.”
At the forefront of this push for self-reliance is Senator Ahmad Lawan, who emphasized the need for a comprehensive ecosystem to support local manufacturing of military weapons, defense equipment, and technologies. This move is critical to enhancing national security, reducing dependence on foreign arms, and driving technological innovation within the country.
“During the session with DICON, I called for the establishment of a comprehensive ecosystem to bolster the local manufacturing of military weapons, defense equipment and technologies in Nigeria.
Senator Lawan believed this move is critical to enhancing national security, reducing dependency on foreign arms, and advancing technological innovation within the country. He underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its indigenous capabilities to address the growing security challenges facing the nation, pointing out that the reliance on imported military hardware not only put pressure on the nation’s resources but also limits the country’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
“Having a manufacturing ecosystem in place will make it expedient for the National Assembly to provide the necessary legislative framework for research, development, and innovation in the defence sector. This will enable us to produce our own weapons, equipment, and technologies tailored to our unique security needs.” Said Senator Lawan.
Nigeria’s reliance on imported military hardware has not only strained the nation’s resources but also limited its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats. By harnessing its indigenous capabilities, Nigeria can address its growing security challenges and take bold steps towards self-reliance in defense production.
The establishment of a manufacturing ecosystem will enable the National Assembly to provide the necessary legislative framework for research, development, and innovation in the defense sector. This, in turn, will allow Nigeria to produce its own weapons, equipment, and technologies tailored to its unique security needs.
As Senator Lawan noted, the time has come for Nigeria to take bold steps towards self-reliance in defense production. With a comprehensive ecosystem in place, Nigeria can enhance its national security, reduce its dependence on foreign arms, and drive technological innovation within the country. This is a significant step towards a more secure and self-reliant Nigeria.
