Matawalle engages China to bolster Nigeria’s defence capabilities
By Emma Ogbuehi
In a significant move to enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, is participating in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment. The meeting took place in China and aimed at strengthening strategic defence ties between Nigeria and China.
The primary focus of the engagement was to formalize a collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The partnership is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector.
READ ALSO:
Matawalle lauds Tinubu’s reforms, says Nigeria’s future brighter
Under the terms of the MoU, the Chinese company has committed to investing in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure, with a comprehensive partnership that includes: Technology transfer: Facilitating the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology to Nigeria; Local Production: Establishing local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment; Capacity Building: Providing technical knowledge exchange to enhance the skills of Nigerian personnel.
Matawalle further highlighted key areas of collaboration to include the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and offering military engineering services. Importantly, the partnership aims at extending its reach beyond Nigeria, providing military support services to neighbouring African countries and contributing to regional security and stability.
Th Minister emphasized that the landmark engagement represents a major advancement in Nigeria’s defence modernization agenda. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to building a self-reliant, technologically advanced, and globally competitive military-industrial base.
In addition to these initiatives, the agreement encompasses the construction of new production lines for various ammunition types, including: 7.62×51mm ball cartridges; 7.62×51mm blank cartridges; 9×19mm pistol cartridges; Machine gun ammunition
Furthermore, new manufacturing workshops and facilities will be established in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, for the production of brass casings, bullet jackets, and other essential defence components. “This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive renewal and strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s security and defence capabilities,” Matawalle stated, according to a release by Jeff Amaka Promise, for Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry
