COAS Advocates Local Defence Manufacturing to Strengthen Military Capability
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigerian Army and indigenous defence manufacturers to enhance national security, modernise the military and strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial capacity.
Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, and his delegation to the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the COAS described local defence production as a strategic tool for improving operational effectiveness and national resilience.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated Proforce Group on its growth and international recognition since its establishment in 2008, describing the company as “an institution that elicits national pride” and a reflection of Nigeria’s expanding defence manufacturing capability.
According to him, increased patronage of indigenous defence companies would promote local innovation, create skilled jobs, conserve foreign exchange and support the country’s economic growth while enhancing the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
The Army Chief noted that the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions has increased the need for sustainable local production and cost-effective procurement to support force development and long-term military capability.
He urged Proforce to continue developing advanced technologies tailored to Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (Counter-IED) systems, ground-penetrating radar, foliage-penetrating surveillance technology and other force protection solutions.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also directed closer technical collaboration between the Nigerian Army and Proforce in the areas of signal intelligence, facial recognition, unmanned systems and dark web exploitation to strengthen intelligence-led operations, disrupt terrorist and criminal networks and improve troop protection across operational theatres.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, thanked the Nigerian Army for its continued support and confidence in indigenous defence solutions.
He said Proforce has evolved into a multi-domain defence technology company with capabilities in armoured vehicle production, unmanned aerial systems, tactical equipment, weapons manufacturing, intelligence solutions, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.
Ogundeyin reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing sovereign defence technologies, stressing that indigenous manufacturing improves operational security, reduces logistics timelines and provides timely technical support tailored to the operational needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
