The meeting, disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by Jeff Promise, representing the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, underscores Nigeria's commitment to strengthening its strategic defence ties with China.
According to Minister Matawalle, the primary objective of this crucial engagement is to formalize a robust partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the esteemed Chinese firm and Nigeria's own Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). "This partnership is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector," the Minister stated, highlighting the strategic importance of the collaboration.
Under the envisioned terms of the MoU, the Chinese company has pledged to make substantial investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure. This collaborative effort encompasses the transfer of cutting-edge defence technologies, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for sophisticated military equipment within Nigeria, and a vital exchange of technical knowledge aimed at enhancing the skills and expertise of Nigerian military personnel.
Minister Matawalle outlined key areas of this strategic collaboration, including the critical maintenance and upgrading of Nigeria's existing military hardware, the servicing of battle tanks to ensure operational readiness, and the provision of essential military engineering services.
Significantly, the Minister emphasized that the intended impact of this partnership extends beyond Nigeria's borders, with the aim of offering military support services to neighbouring African countries, thereby contributing to broader regional security and stability.
Dr. Matawalle described this engagement as a pivotal step forward in Nigeria’s ambitious defence modernization agenda. He firmly reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to building a self-reliant, technologically advanced, and globally competitive military-industrial base.
The scope of the agreement also includes the establishment of new production lines within Nigeria for the manufacturing of various types of crucial ammunition, such as 7.62×51mm ball cartridges, 7.62×51mm blank cartridges, 9×19mm pistol cartridges, and essential machine gun ammunition.
Furthermore, the MoU outlines plans for the construction of new manufacturing workshops and state-of-the-art facilities in Kaduna and Kachia, both located in Kaduna State. These facilities will be dedicated to the local production of vital defence components, including brass casings and bullet jackets, reducing reliance on foreign imports and fostering domestic capacity.
"This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive renewal and strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s security and defence capabilities," Minister Matawalle affirmed, underscoring the government's high-level commitment to this transformative partnership.