Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, minister of defence, says the Nigerian military has commenced local production of armoured personnel carriers (APCs), bulletproof glass, surveillance drones, and other critical military hardware.
The minister disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mati Ali, his media aide, following a two-day working visit to key military facilities in Kaduna State.
Badaru, who toured the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Army Command Engineering Depot (CED), Buffalo Engineering Technical Services Limited (BETSL), and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), said he observed “significant progress” in local production and refurbishment of military assets.
Accompanied by senior military officials, the minister inspected a range of projects and interacted with personnel working on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), tanks, and other platforms.
The statement quoted him as saying: “During my inspections, I witnessed the impressive capabilities in repairing and refurbishing damaged MRAP vehicles, tanks, and APCs.
“New combat platforms—including Buffalo APCs, MRAPs, bulletproof glass, spare parts, and surveillance UAVs—are being developed in our workshops. Some of these assets are already being redeployed to operational theatres.”
Badaru praised the ongoing efforts across institutions to expand domestic defence production and reduce reliance on imports.
According to the statement, the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill into law by President Tinubu is a key step toward that goal.
The legislation empowers DICON to manage ordnance factories and spearhead innovation through the creation of the Defence Industry Technology, Research and Development Institute (DITRDI).
It also establishes a regulatory framework for the manufacture, distribution, and disposal of defence materials.
Badaru called for sustained support for institutions such as the NDA, AFIT, CED, and BETSL to build a skilled and self-reliant military workforce.
