Abuja: A Defence and Security Tech Expert, Zulaykhah Aileru, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise local production of military equipment rather than depending heavily on foreign suppliers. Aileru, a Certified Protection and Security Professional (PSP, CPP), made this call in her opinion titled, ‘Africa’s Defence Dilemma’ made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja. She said the continent’s prolonged reliance on arms imports had hampered technological growth, drained economic resources, and compromised national sovereignty.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in spite of spending billions of dollars on defence in the past decade, much of Nigeria’s security procurement still came from foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), leaving the country vulnerable in times of crisis. Aileru said that during Nigeria’s peak conflict with Boko Haram, the country struggled to acquire essential weapons after the United States refused to sell due to human rights concerns.
Aileru highlighted that from 2016 to 2022, Nigeria spent nearly 20 billion dollars on defence and security, largely on foreign procurement, and in just the first quarter of 2025, arms imports exceeded ?22.7 billion. She expressed concern that at crucial moments of need, Nigeria was left scrambling, illustrating the risks of overdependence on foreign allies for critical national defence.
She noted that Nigeria had begun laying the groundwork for a domestic defence industry through Executive Order 5, which directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to prioritise indigenous technologies and local content. This policy has fostered new partnerships between the Ministry of Defence and private sector innovators, as well as renewed investments in institutions like DICON, NASENI, and NOTAP.
Aileru mentioned that the real momentum is coming from public-private partnerships, with some of Nigeria’s most advanced defence solutions, from drone surveillance to smart armour, originating from local companies. However, she identified structural challenges such as lack of transparency in procurement, weak intellectual property protection, slow testing approval cycles, and limited financial incentives for local defence entrepreneurs.
To address these issues, Aileru advocated for tax breaks, export credits, and streamlined regulatory frameworks to boost indigenous capacity and attract investment into the sector. She argued that a homegrown defence ecosystem would reduce external risks, retain economic value, and allow faster innovation in response to threats like insurgency, piracy, and cyber warfare.
Aileru stressed that no sovereign nation should outsource its security entirely, stating that industrial sovereignty is non-negotiable. She emphasized that Africa is no longer questioning its capability to build its own defence technology but rather whether it will take the necessary actions.
She concluded by urging policymakers to view defence industrialisation not just as a security need but as a vehicle for economic transformation and continental stability.