The federal government is to establish a military industrial complex in Kaduna State with the aim of promoting research and innovation in the nation’s defence sector.
Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali who made the disclosure said the complex will be driven by public/private/partnership pointing out that several foreign countries wanted to be partners in the project.
Speaking at the first Nigerian Army Research and innovation summit, the minister said MOD will also host a national conference on Defence industrialization to attract local and international stakeholders to brainstorm and produce a roadmap to guide its successful take off.
“Similarly, the ministry of Defence is working in partnership between Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and some foreign original equipment manufacturers with a view to launching a pilot production line of some fast moving arms/ammunition for the armed forces of Nigeria” he said.
“Through this effort, Nigeria will save its hard earned foreign exchange. So far, countries like Poland, Pakistan, Turkey, India and South Africa have visited Nigeria for that purpose” the minister added.
Continuing, Dan Ali said, “The partnership will among other things, also consider the transfer of skills and technological innovations for the advancement of our armed forces”.
Commending the Nigerian Army for responsively keying into the federal government policy of research, innovation and ensuring a politically stable nation, he said the present administration has given priority to research development through enactment of realistic policies that will re-position the armed forces towards attaining excellence.
“This is in line with the change mantra of this administration which seeks to refocus the efforts of the government in enhancing capacity through diversification and local production” Dan Ali said.
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