Stakeholders in the security sector at the just concluded Nigeria Exhibition and Conference (NISEC) have urged the Federal Government to prioritise local defence production in order to reduce over dependence on foreign supplies. This has potential to create jobs opportunities.
Security and Defence NISECEXPO 2024 programme held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel is an annual event that brings together defence industries from various parts of the world to discuss and showcase their defence products.
In a communique jointly signed by all participants advised the Federal Government of Nigeria, in pursuant of localizing defence contract policies and programmes, should establish legislations and oversight institutions to guide against monopoly and political corruption.
"The FGN through the relevant agencies should develop guidelines to minimize environmental impact of setting up defence manufacturing equipment.
"There is need to leverage the potentials of technology in combating insecurity in Nigeria.
"The FGN should build synergy with the private sector as well as the relevant stakeholders in developing its defence sector"
Read the Full Communique below:
COMMUNIQUE ADOPTED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIA SECURITY EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE HELD AT THE LADI KWALI CONFERENCE HALL, ABUJA CONTINENTAL HOTEL, 28 -29 OCTOBER 2024
BACKGROUND
1 The Nigeria Exhibition and Conference (NISEC) held its Security and Defence NISECEXPO from 28 – 29 October 2024. The EXPO was held at the Ladi Kwali Conference Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel. The programme is an annual event that brings together defence industries from various parts of the world to discuss and showcase their defence products.
2. Notable among the guest were: The Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral AK Ezenma, The Commandant, Nigerian Army War College, represented by Brig Gen NC Okafor, Prof Felix Okokhere, Mr. Kayode Adeleke among others.
A total of 3 papers were presented and 2 technical sessions. This include:
a. “Localizing Defense Contracts to Enhance Nigeria's Defense Economy and Expand Private Sector Engagements” delivered by Dr. Okwori Stephen Obochi
b. “Advanced Deployable Military Additive Manufacturing for Self Reliance in Nigeria and Across Africa” by Dr Kayode Ayodele, CEO RUSSEL SMITH Technologies
c. “Challenges and Opportunities of Africa’s Private Sector Involvement in Military Production: Recommendations for Improvement” by Maj Gen IB Maina, Comdt, Nigerian Army War College.
OBSERVATIONS/ RESOLUTIONS
3. Arising from the discussions, Participants observed as follows:
a. That Nigeria consumes more defence products than it produces. Relying on procurement from other countries has serious consequence on the country.
b. That Nigeria has local capacity for defence manufacturing, but lack industrial capacity to produce the required quantity of arms and ammunition and other defence equipment for local consumption.
c. That Nigeria has sufficient local capacity for the production of defence equipment. However, these capacities have not been harnessed for national development and security.
d. That Government alone cannot drive the military industrial development of Nigeria as defence manufacturing all over the world is largely private sector driven.
e. Noted that military self-reliance in Nigeria is a matter of national security.
f. Noted that while Government is making policies to support private sector participation in defence equipment manufacturing, it is yet to get to the desired place.
g. Warned that while localizing defence contract policy will be the way to go. However, if it is not carefully followed, it could lead to monopolizing of the industry by politically powerful individuals and this kills competition.
h. Further warned that in pursuing localization of defence manufacturing contract policies, Nigeria should guide against allowing politics and politically powerful individuals to bypass the process through corrupt means. Dominance of politics in security sector could impact negatively on national interest.
i. Noted that setting up defence industries could negatively impact on the environment if not properly checked through frameworks and guidelines.
j. Further noted that issues around political instability, policy inconsistency and technology instability could hamper defence industry manufacturing.
k. Emphasized the need for international/ regional collaboration in defence production as no country can build capacity in defence industrial base development for local defence manufacturing without some level of local and international collaborations and partnerships.
l. Emphasized the need for quality assurance and standard in localizing defence industries. The equipment must meet operational standards.
m. Noted that global events such as pandemic, war in Ukraine, environmental challenges among others disrupts defence manufacturing shipping and makes it difficult assessing raw materials, hence, the imperative of local defence industries to feed into local defence needs and supplies.
n. Agreed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies are doing their best to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
o. Noted that PROFORCE and Innoson among other defence companies have made significant contributions in private sector engagement in defence equipment production. However, private sector participation is not yet where it is supposed to be in terms of manufacturing defence equipment.
p. Noted that defence equipment and arms and ammunition production is a highly controlled venture and requires effective regulation by relevant agencies and frameworks.
q. Noted that Nigeria’s operational readiness to deal with certain security challenges is hampered by dependence on foreign suppliers for parts replacement and supply of necessary defence equipment.
r. Noted the importance of a sustained supply chain in internal security management is indispensable.
s. Observed that the 5th Generation warfare is a warfare of precision and is intelligence driven, as such Nigeria has to develop its technological defence base.
t. That there is the existence of huge untapped talents in Nigerian university. This has the potential to transform Nigeria’s technological base.
u. Noted the availability of huge ready markets for locally manufactured defence products in Nigeria.
v. Emphasized the existence of trust gap in private sector involvement in defence production as a result of security concern. This poses serious limitations to local defence manufacturing.
w. Noted that poor electricity supply in Nigeria poses a challenge and limits local industries production.
x. Observed that drones have become an important and indispensable weapon in modern warfare because of its competitiveness for national security and development purposes.
y. That drone industry is booming in Africa because of its vast and diverse landscapes that requires advanced aerial surveillance. Africa's many conflicts and wars have also contributed to the high demand for drones.
RECOMMENDATIONS
4. From the strength of the above observations, the Conference recommends as follows:
a. The Federal Government of Nigeria should prioritise local defence production in order to reduce over dependence on foreign supplies. This has potential to create jobs opportunities.
b. The Federal Government of Nigeria, in pursuant of localizing defence contract policies and programmes, should establish legislations and oversight institutions to guide against monopoly and political corruption.
c. The FGN through the relevant agencies should develop guidelines to minimize environmental impact of setting up defence manufacturing equipment.
d. There is need to leverage the potentials of technology in combating insecurity in Nigeria.
e. The FGN should build synergy with the private sector as well as the relevant stakeholders in developing its defence sector.
f. The FGN, through relevant agencies should embark on defence sector and policy reform. This is a prerequisite for enhancing self-reliance and sustainability in local defence products manufacturing.
g. The FGN should pursue a deliberate policy to localize its defence manufacturing sector in other to enhance foreign exchange value and its comparative value among other defence producing countries.
h. The FGN should harvest and harness local capacity through education and training, and engage them in the production and replacement of damaged and obsolete military equipment and parts for defence use.
i. The FGN should pursue a digitalization policy to improve the existing local defence industries’ production. This will significantly solve Nigeria’s manufacturing challenges.
j. There is need to ensure that private sector engagement in defence manufacturing align with DICON’s vision of being a leading indigenous defence manufacturing in Africa.
k. The FGN should adapt cutting-edge and other advanced technologies to enhance its defence industries for rapid on-site part production, maintenance culture and to ensure operational readiness
l. The private sector should seriously engage in innovation (AI robot) to ensure the emergence of smart soldiers to effectively combat the evolving nature of security threats and challenges.
m. The private sector should tap from the incentives provided by government through already existing policies for effective private sector engagement in defence manufacturing.
n. The FGN should harness renewable energy to address challenges associated to inadequate power supply for local defence manufacturing.
o. The FGN should establish R&D hubs in Nigerian Universities to support the defence sector.
p. Governments in Africa should deploy drones for logistics purposes such as medical, information, etc since most of the military missions in Africa are primarily for peacekeeping purposes,
Adopted in Abuja, Nigeria this day 29 October 2024