Nigeria, China Deepen Defence Ties to Boost Local Arms Production, Technology Transfer

Nigeria has intensified efforts to strengthen its defence partnership with China as the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd), led a high powered delegation to Beijing for strategic engagements aimed at enhancing military technology transfer, modernising the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), and expanding local defence manufacturing through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

According to a statement by the Minister's Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the week long visit is focused on deepening bilateral defence cooperation while positioning Nigeria as a producer, rather than merely a consumer, of military technology.

Speaking during a visit to the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) Innovation Centre, the minister said the Federal Government was committed to integrating emerging technologies and artificial intelligence into Nigeria's national security architecture to effectively tackle evolving asymmetric security threats.

"Our focus is clear, we are committed to partnerships that do not just make Nigeria a consumer, but an active producer. 

"Through DICON, we will expand local production lines, drive absolute technology transfer, and achieve sustainable self-reliance in defence manufacturing to secure our nation," Musa stated.

As part of the visit, the Nigerian delegation also toured the headquarters and exhibition centre of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO Group), where they inspected advanced land combat platforms, artillery systems, specialised ammunition and integrated defence solutions.

The minister later held a closed door meeting with NORINCO's president and senior executives, with discussions centred on technology transfer, technical capacity building and the establishment of joint defence production lines in Nigeria in collaboration with DICON.

At the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, Nigeria's Ambassador to China, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), received the delegation and described the minister's visit as timely, noting that it would further strengthen the strategic relationship between Nigeria and China.

Dambazau assured the delegation of the embassy's full diplomatic support in advancing Nigeria's defence objectives throughout the mission.

General Musa also visited the embassy's Defence Section, where he met with Defence Attachés and staff, commending their dedication to promoting Nigeria's military diplomacy and urging them to continue projecting the country's interests across Asia.

The Ministry of Defence said the working visit is expected to yield both immediate and long term benefits for Nigeria through enhanced military capabilities, equipment modernisation, improved logistics and supply chains, increased local defence industrial capacity, greater strategic self-reliance, and stronger bilateral relations with China.