Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s military capabilities through enhanced Research and Development (R&D).
Speaking at the Annual Seminar and Exhibition organised by the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) in Abuja, Abubakar emphasised the crucial role of local innovation in addressing both global and regional security challenges.
The Minister said: “Our national security strategy acknowledges the vital role of innovation in fostering a secured and prosperous nation. To effectively respond to today’s dynamic threats, we must integrate a Military Industrial Complex that promotes self-reliance and local production of military equipment.”
He also stressed President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting the President’s dedication to boosting Nigeria’s defence production capabilities through the DICON Bill of 2023.
The seminar, titled ‘Enhancing Synergy in R&D Towards a Robust Military Industrial Complex in Nigeria’, aims to foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the defence sector.
The Minister stressed the vital importance of this collaboration, noting that research and development (R&D) serves as the foundation for any successful Military Industrial Complex.
“It is through collaboration and cooperation that we can harness cutting-edge technologies and stay ahead of emerging threats. We are committed to fostering policies that encourage private sector participation and capacity building in defence research. Together, we will build a self-reliant nation with a strong defence posture”, he said.
