By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Army has pledged to strengthen support for indigenous defence manufacturers as part of efforts to expand local production, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and reduce the country’s dependence on imported military equipment.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, made the commitment during visits to Proforce Group and Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL) in Ogun State, where he highlighted the importance of partnerships between the military and private-sector manufacturers in developing Nigeria’s domestic defence industry.
Shaibu, according to a statement by the Army’s spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, also urged private-sector operators to invest in the skills and innovative potential of Nigerian youths, describing youth empowerment and indigenous defence production as “critical to national security and economic development.”
During his engagement with Proforce Group, the Army chief emphasised the strategic importance of locally manufactured armoured vehicles and protective equipment in meeting the operational requirements of the military. He commended the company for its contributions to Nigeria’s defence manufacturing sector, noting that sustained investment in domestic production could reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen the Army’s capacity to respond to evolving security threats.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s drive for local content development and defence industrialisation, stressing that a strong domestic manufacturing base was essential to national security, technology transfer and the development of sustainable military capabilities.
At EPAIL, the Army chief highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population as a valuable national asset whose potential could be harnessed through investment, mentorship and skills development.
He noted that investing in young Nigerians would encourage innovation, expand employment opportunities and promote home-grown solutions to the country’s security challenges. He also commended EPAIL for developing a skilled, youthful workforce involved in manufacturing protective equipment for the military and other security agencies.
According to Shaibu, greater investment in local manufacturing and human capital development would improve troop protection and operational readiness while stimulating industrial growth and technological innovation.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Proforce Group, Ade Ogundeyin, thanked the Army chief for the visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to producing quality defence equipment that meets the operational requirements of the Nigerian Army.
Similarly, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPAIL, Kola Balogun, commended Shaibu for sustaining military operations against criminal elements across the country.
Balogun said the company had the capacity to supply protective equipment to troops, highlighting the contributions of its young workforce to the development of products tailored to the operational needs of security agencies.
The engagements underscore the Nigerian Army’s emphasis on collaboration with indigenous manufacturers and private-sector investors as part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic defence production, develop local expertise and expand employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Army says it is deepening partnerships with local manufacturers, and is seeking to support a defence industry capable of meeting more of the country’s military equipment needs while contributing to technology development, industrial growth and national security.
