Nigeria Moves to Start Local Production of Weapons, Ammunition

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has led a Nigerian defence delegation to Egypt to explore technology transfer, technical cooperation and local production as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its indigenous defence industry.

The two-day visit focused on exposing Nigerian officials to Egypt’s defence manufacturing capabilities and identifying opportunities for Nigeria to develop its own capacity to produce selected military equipment and systems.

During a tour of the Eagle International for Defence Systems Company in Suez, the Nigerian delegation examined defence systems and equipment produced by the Egyptian company, gaining first-hand insight into its manufacturing processes and technological capabilities.

Matawalle said the visit was focused on building long-term industrial capacity rather than immediate procurement.

“Nigeria’s principal objective is to explore avenues for a sustainable industrial partnership that would enable the two countries to work collaboratively, particularly through DICON, towards the joint manufacture of selected military equipment and systems.”

The minister said such cooperation would help Nigeria develop specialised technical expertise, expand local content and facilitate the transfer of relevant defence technologies and industrial knowledge.

The delegation later held discussions with the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production in Cairo, with talks focusing particularly on the possibility of establishing an ammunition production line in Nigeria through structured technical and industrial cooperation.

Both sides expressed interest in advancing the proposed partnership and working towards formal agreements to provide a framework for its implementation.

Matawalle said the initiative would support Nigeria’s strategic objective of reducing dependence on foreign sources for critical defence equipment while strengthening the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces.

“Such collaboration would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous production capacity, develop specialised technical expertise, expand local content, and facilitate the transfer of relevant defence technologies and industrial knowledge to Nigeria.”

The Ministry of Defence said continued engagements with Egyptian defence institutions would focus on technology and knowledge transfer and the development of practical frameworks for industrial cooperation.