The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has led a series of transformative reforms and policy initiatives that have significantly strengthened Nigeria’s defence capabilities. Rather than listing all the achievements, I’ll focus on key strategic initiatives that have made a lasting impact on the nation’s security posture.
In early 2025, Nigeria’s military took a decisive step forward in modernizing its counter-terrorism efforts. At the IDEF defence exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, the Honourable Minister Matawalle represented Nigeria and engaged directly with global security and defence leaders. His efforts helped to forge military and security collaborations, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s strategy to enhance its ground forces against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram.
In line with these efforts, the Honourable Minister has been unwavering in his commitment to local manufacturing, reinforcing Nigeria’s drive towards self-reliance in defence. This strategy is already showing significant results, with substantial progress in the country’s military production sector. Notable milestones include the production of 20 locally-manufactured light armored vehicles (LAVs) by EPAIL Nigeria in May 2024, boosting Nigeria’s reconnaissance and counter-terrorism capabilities. In December 2024, five Hulk Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, produced by Proforce Nigeria, were added to the fleet, complementing the existing Ara II MRAPs. These additions are crucial for protecting Nigerian troops against the ever-evolving threats posed by insurgents.
Furthermore, the production of specialized military motorcycles, known as “mountain climber bikes,” has further bolstered Nigeria’s operational capabilities. These locally-made motorcycles are designed for navigating challenging, rugged terrains, giving troops a significant advantage when executing operations in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
By investing in domestic production, Nigeria is not only enhancing its military readiness but also positioning itself to confront insurgent threats with greater efficiency and effectiveness. This framework enables the military to sustain continuous operations, even in some of the most volatile regions of the country.
A critical moment in this effort came in September 2024, when the Honourable Minister conducted an operational visit to Sokoto State. During this visit, he reiterated the government’s commitment to intensifying operations against terrorists and criminals. Acting on his directive, Nigerian forces swiftly neutralized several high-profile bandit leaders who had been terrorizing the North-West region, sending a strong message that the government will not relent in its fight against terrorism.
Currently, the Honourable Minister, Bello Matawalle is in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt attending EDEX 2025, an exhibition which brings together more than 450 global defence companies, 25 national pavilions, and official delegations from over 100 countries.
EDEX is a biennial international defence exhibition showcasing advances in land, sea, and air military technologies. It is considered one of the leading defence platforms in Africa and the Middle East, drawing senior military leaders, policymakers, and major global and local defence companies.
Ahmad Dan-Wudil is a Personal Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister, writing from Abuja, Nigeria.
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