Says Visit Will Strengthen Bilateral Defence Cooperation and Boost Local Production
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON led a high-level Nigerian defence delegation on a two-day visit to key defence industry establishments in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
A statement signed by Queeneth Iheoma-Hart (CIO)For: Director Information and Public Relations in the ministry said the visit is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, advance indigenous defence production, and strengthen the country’s long-term defence industrial capabilities.
It said the delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, as well as a representative of the Director-General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation toured the manufacturing facilities of Eagle International for Defence Systems Company in Suez. The visit provided the Nigerian team the opportunity to examine a range of defence systems and equipment manufactured by the Egyptian company, and to gain first-hand insight into Egypt’s growing defence production capabilities and industrial processes.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. Matawalle stated that the visit was strategic and developmental in character, rather than focused on immediate procurement.
He noted that Nigeria’s principal objective was to explore avenues for a sustainable industrial partnership that would enable the two countries to work collaboratively, particularly through DICON, towards the joint manufacture of selected military equipment and systems.
According to the Minister, such collaboration would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous production capacity, develop specialised technical expertise, expand local content, and facilitate the transfer of relevant defence technologies and industrial knowledge to Nigeria.
On the second day, the delegation had a high-level engagement with the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production in Cairo. Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly the prospects for establishing an ammunition production line in Nigeria through structured technical and industrial cooperation.
Both sides expressed strong interest in advancing the proposed collaboration and working towards the conclusion of appropriate formal agreements to provide the necessary framework for its implementation.
The proposed initiative aligns with Nigeria’s strategic objective of achieving greater self-reliance in critical defence production, reducing dependence on external sources, and strengthening the country’s capacity to sustainably meet the equipment and operational requirements of its Armed Forces.
Since his appointment, Dr. Matawalle has remained committed to advancing the Federal Government’s vision of developing a modern and robust military-industrial complex in Nigeria, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR*.
The vision seeks to strengthen national defence self-reliance, enhance national security, promote indigenous innovation and technological development, create economic opportunities, and position defence industrialisation as a catalyst for broader national development.
The visit to Egypt therefore represents another significant step towards translating this vision into practical and sustainable partnerships capable of delivering measurable improvements in Nigeria’s defence industrial capacity.
The Ministry of Defence appreciates the warm reception and constructive engagements extended by its Egyptian counterparts throughout the visit, and remains confident that the emerging areas of cooperation will yield enduring strategic benefits for both countries.
The Ministry further looks forward to continued engagements with relevant Egyptian defence institutions towards the development of concrete frameworks that will strengthen bilateral defence relations, promote technology and knowledge transfer, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s quest for a self-reliant, resilient and technologically advanced defence industrial base.
