FG Signs Landmark Pact To Begin Local Production Of Military Hardware At Ajaokuta

The Federal Government has taken a major step toward self-reliance in defence production as the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and the Federal Ministry of Defence on Monday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin the local production of military hardware in Nigeria.

The agreement, signed at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, also covers the construction of a military industrial complex within the Ajaokuta Steel territory in Kogi State.

The two key MoUs were signed between the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, and the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, while the second agreement was sealed between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Steel Development, the partnership marks “a new dawn for Nigeria’s industrial and security advancement,” aligning with the Federal Government’s renewed drive to tackle insecurity and boost industrialization through strategic resource utilization.

Prince Audu described the pact as “a historic breakthrough and one of the most significant developments since the establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex nearly 50 years ago.”

He explained that under the new collaboration, the engineering workshops at Ajaokuta will be repurposed for the production of bullets, helmets, vests, rifles, and other military-grade equipment, while a designated section of the complex will host the new military industrial complex.

“This initiative will greatly strengthen our security architecture and contribute to addressing insecurity, especially in the North-East and North-West,” Audu said.
“By utilising the infrastructure at Ajaokuta, we are positioning Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production and industrial growth,” he added.

The minister emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritizes national security, job creation, and economic revitalization through local manufacturing.

On his part, Defence Minister Bello Matawalle hailed the agreement as a bold and visionary step toward transforming Nigeria from a consumer to a producer of defence assets.

“Ajaokuta Steel Plant remains a national asset and the foundation of Nigeria’s industrialisation,” he stated.
“This partnership is a strategic alliance between our defence and industrial sectors, reinforcing the President’s vision to enhance local productivity and build a stronger, safer Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Major General Babatunde Alaya, Director-General of DICON, stressed that steel is the foundation of all military production, adding that the agreement would enable both DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company to reach new levels of indigenous capability in defence manufacturing.