In a display of commitment to Nigeria’s strategic defence objectives, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, today reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production.
Dr. Matawalle made this affirmation when he received a high-level delegation from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) in his office at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.
The delegation, led by Mr. Tian Bei, Deputy General Manager of NORINCO’s Africa-America Department, visited the minister as part of a sustained military-industrial engagement initiated in 2024 to fortify Nigeria’s indigenous defence architecture through mutually beneficial alliances with globally established defence players.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the Federal Government’s unrelenting resolve to reposition the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) into a world-class military production entity. “Our doctrine is clear: Nigeria must attain self-reliance in defence production. We are open to serious partners who are ready to respect our sovereignty, transfer critical technology, and build genuine local capacity,” he declared.
This strategic partnership with NORINCO, a globally renowned defence conglomerate, is projected to deliver decisive outcomes in critical areas such as; Comprehensive technology transfer, Advanced training and capacity-building, and Boosting of indigenous content in defence manufacturing.
These initiatives are in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Commander-in-Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritizes indigenous capability development, operational autonomy, and the security of the nation through industrialized defence solutions.
HM Matawalle assured the delegation of Nigeria’s full support, stating that the Ministry of Defence stands ready to support all credible efforts aimed at transforming the nation into a regional hub for military hardware production.
The high-level engagement reflects Nigeria’s strategic pivot towards self-sustaining military industrialization, mission-ready capacity, and a fortified sovereign defence posture.
