Nigeria Gears Up for Domestic Military Hardware Production in Ajaokuta
The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards bolstering its domestic defense capabilities. The Ministries of Steel Development and Defence plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate the production of military hardware at the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
This collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “renewed hope agenda” to revitalize the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, not just for regular steel production, but also for strategic military applications.
Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, emphasized the existing potential at Ajaokuta: “The Ajaokuta Steel complex has various engineering workshops with the capacity to produce hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.” He anticipates the MoU will pave the way for DICON and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited to work together and manufacture essential military equipment like rifles, protective vests, helmets, and bullets.
Echoing this sentiment, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, reaffirmed that the planned production of military hardware and the establishment of a Military Industrial Complex in Ajaokuta are fully aligned with the President’s vision.
This initiative holds the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s self-reliance in the defense sector, potentially reducing dependence on foreign sources for vital military equipment. However, the success of this ambitious project hinges on efficient implementation and navigating the complex realities of reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, which has faced operational challenges for decades.
