By Hassan Hussain
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for urgent measures to strengthen Nigeria’s local defence production capacity and reduce dependence on imported military equipment.
Musa made the call at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, with the theme: “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture.”
“Nigeria must develop its own defence capabilities. We have the technical expertise to produce military vehicles, drones, surveillance equipment, and other security technologies needed to address modern threats.”
— Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence
The Defence Minister said recent global conflicts had exposed the risks associated with relying heavily on foreign suppliers for critical security hardware, noting that access to military equipment could become difficult during international crises.
He stressed that local manufacturers and innovators must be supported through deliberate government policies, funding, and patronage to promote self-reliance in the defence sector.
Musa also called for greater investment in universities, research institutions, and young innovators, particularly in intelligence gathering, surveillance, threat detection, and emerging security technologies.
He said modern security operations are increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, drones, satellite imaging, biometric systems, and predictive analytics, urging Nigeria to adopt these technologies within a regulated framework that protects national interests.
The Minister described security as a collective responsibility involving government, security agencies, the private sector, and citizens.
He noted that threats including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and attacks on critical infrastructure have become more sophisticated and interconnected.
Musa emphasized the need for communities to support security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that criminal networks often depend on local support systems.
He further advocated stronger public-private partnerships in areas such as intelligence support, cybersecurity, surveillance, infrastructure protection, and emergency response.
The Defence Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity, but noted that military action alone cannot deliver lasting security.
The National Coordinator of the National Private Security Conference, who is the convener of the event, Mr. Charles Awuzie, said the event was created to bring together government institutions, defence experts, industry leaders, innovators, and citizens to develop practical solutions for a modern security system.
Awuzie said the conference would become an annual platform for dialogue on security, innovation, and national development through collaboration among stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for nationwide support for the establishment of state police and other security reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Kalu described the recently passed State Police Bill as a necessary step towards improving policing at the grassroots level and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
He urged the Senate and State Houses of Assembly to support the reform, saying it should be viewed as a national necessity rather than a political issue.
According to him, state police would improve response time, strengthen intelligence gathering, and enable security personnel to operate effectively within communities they understand.
The Deputy Speaker, however, stressed that sustainable peace requires addressing social challenges such as poverty, unemployment, weak education systems, and poor local governance.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, private sector players, and communities, citing the Peace in the South East Project as an example of community engagement complementing security operations.
In his remarks, Senator Osita Izunaso said Nigeria’s security challenges had become too complex for government alone, calling for a whole-of-society approach.
Izunaso said tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and economic sabotage requires coordinated efforts involving both public and private sectors.
He stressed the importance of private sector involvement in job creation, education, and community development to reduce vulnerability among young people.
The Senator also called for increased adoption of technology in security operations, including artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, data analytics, and intelligence-sharing platforms.
He urged greater support for indigenous defence production through institutions such as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, while advocating stronger data systems and local government structures for improved security response.
Both lawmakers commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the country.
They also praised the Defence Minister for promoting stakeholder engagement and reforms aimed at building a stronger national security ecosystem.
The conference brought together policymakers, security experts, private sector leaders, and civil society organisations to examine practical solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
