Nigeria has learned a lesson from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Minister of Defense

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari claims that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has taught Nigeria a lesson about the importance of investing in local weapon production.

The recent global events have reinforced the need to improve local production of defense needs, improve supply chain security, and enter into international collaborations that will ensure technology transfer, said defence minister Bashir Magashi during the ongoing 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair’s Armed Forces Special Day.

Mr Buhari’s administration, he claims, is committed to building a strong military.
Mr Magashi, through his special adviser Ahmad Jibrin, reaffirmed the regime’s commitment to continue to provide adequate logistics and equipment for the armed forces to carry out their duties.

Read also: Ondo to restore mission schools – Akeredolu

He emphasized that the regime’s ongoing efforts to establish a military industrial complex were a sign of Mr Buhari’s desire to improve the armed forces’ self-sufficiency.

“The complex will be a collaborative effort involving the government, military, defense industries, and research institutions, with activities aimed at meeting Nigeria’s defense requirements.”
“I encourage members of academia and industry to seize this opportunity and explore potential areas of collaboration,” he said.

The event gives the military a chance to show off its in-house defense manufacturing capabilities as well as its research and development efforts.

He praised the Nigeria Defence Academy, the Nigerian Defence Industries Corporation, and the Command Engineering Depot, CED, for representing the military at the event and showcasing a variety of indigenous military products.

He cautioned them against resting on their laurels.
Hassan Tafida, the director-general of DICON, assured the minister that the armed forces are committed to improving their capacity and becoming self-sufficient in producing all military hardware requirements.