The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to local development and production of defence equipment to meet operational needs of the military.
Mr Badaru said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the maiden Annual Seminar and Exhibition of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, DRDB.
The theme of the seminar is “Enhancing Synergy in R&D towards a Robust Military Industrial Complex in Nigeria”.
He said that Nigeria had made commendable strides in strengthening its military capabilities by leveraging technology.
According to him, the financial and diplomatic impediments associated with the import of equipment and technology underscores the urgent need for developing indigenous capabilities.
“And this is through an integrated and collaborative approach which defines the military industrial complex.”
The minister also said that Nigeria has integrated Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria, DICON, with other institutions, academia and local industry for a joint and centralised local production of military equipment.
“Let me stress the President’s unwavering commitment to supporting centralised and local production capacity of military equipment in Nigeria.
“We know that science and technology are crucial in shaping our national defence and security architecture.
“Let me be categorical to state here that our national security strategy recognises the vital role of innovation in fostering a secure and prosperous nation.
“This becomes more apparent especially as we navigate a global landscape undergoing unprecedented technological transformation which impacts the conduct of security operations and further demonstrate the revolution in military affairs,” he said.
Mr Badaru added that countries including Nigeria constantly employed diverse strategies and adoptive military resources to enhance their defence capabilities to effectively counter the assymetric and dynamic threats.
He urged participants to actively promote sanity in the nation’s military-industrial complex, ensuring cooperation among all relevant agencies involved in advanced research and development.
Similarly, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, called for enhanced synergy of research and development towards a robust military-industrial context which aligns with the national goals in information, science, and technology.
Mr Nnaji noted that it was with the convergence of national objectives with the defence sector that transformative advancements could emerge, offering significant opportunities for collaborations to advance national development.
He said that the gathering highlighted the critical role that R&D plays in searching for national military capacity and ensuring national security.
He pledged the commitment of the ministry to supporting the efforts of DRDB in promoting indigenous research capabilities.
“We will work hand-in-hand with the Minister of Defence to maximise our collective efforts.
“There are numerous examples worldwide where effective integration of innovation, R&D, and defence has transformed military capabilities.
“However, unlocking this potential requires a coordinated effort among all stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
“This integrated framework, military-industrial complex, brings together resources and expertise, reduces redundancy, and enhances efficiency,” he said.
NAN
