Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle says Nigeria is committed to developing a strong and self-reliant defence industry capable of meeting the equipment and technology needs of the Armed Forces locally.
Matawalle stated this on Wednesday, August 26, at the 7th Nigeria–Türkiye Defence Industries Cooperation Meeting in Abuja.
He called for practical partnerships with Türkiye focused on joint production, technology licensing, co-development, skills transfer and localising defence manufacturing.
According to the minister, the partnerships would strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities while promoting technology transfer, job creation, human-capital development and broader industrial growth.
Matawalle said the DICON Act 2023 provides a framework for expanding local defence production and private-sector participation, but stressed that Nigeria must translate the legislation into actual industrial and technological capacity.
Turkish defence industry delegation leader Gökhan Uçar said Türkiye remains committed to strengthening defence-industrial cooperation with Nigeria, noting that Turkish companies are already operating in the country and more investors are interested in new opportunities.
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa formally declared the meeting open.
👉 FolDaily Times
