By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has called for strengthened defence collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
This appeal was made during a high-level meeting at the British Parliament’s House of Lords.
Ambassador Aduda, a former Governor of OPEC and now serving as Permanent Secretary, met with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), to discuss opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, security, and industrial development.
The meeting was convened in light of increasing global security complexities and the pressing need for sustainable defence partnerships. Central to the discussions was the restructuring and revitalization of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the country’s premier defence manufacturing institution.
Ambassador Aduda emphasized the Nigerian Government’s commitment to transforming DICON into a commercially viable and investor-attractive entity capable of addressing domestic security needs while contributing to regional and international defence solutions. He highlighted the necessity of clearly separating DICON’s regulatory functions from its commercial and manufacturing responsibilities, stating that this delineation is crucial for unlocking the institution’s potential and fostering an environment conducive to private sector investment, especially Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
“In its current form, DICON possesses significant potential, but it requires a more defined governance and operational structure to attract credible global partners,” Aduda remarked. “A restructured DICON, operating within a clearly defined regulatory and commercial framework, will provide the transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence needed to stimulate local innovation and foster international collaboration.”
Lord Marland welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to modernize and sustain its defence industry. He underscored the importance of partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer, technology co-development, and capacity building. He noted that institutions like the CWEIC provide a valuable platform for connecting reputable UK defence and security firms with Nigeria’s strategic defence infrastructure transformation initiatives.
The discussions also explored opportunities for investment in defence infrastructure, specialized training programs, and joint production ventures between Nigerian and British firms. Both parties agreed that these initiatives would enhance Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence production and contribute to regional security and economic growth.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to establish a follow-up framework involving key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in Nigeria and the UK. This framework will include potential roundtable discussions, technical assessments, and business-to-business linkages aimed at creating a viable pathway for long-term UK-Nigeria defence industrial cooperation.
As Nigeria strives to position itself as a regional leader in defence manufacturing and innovation, strategic engagements such as this underscore the importance of visionary leadership, policy reform, and international partnerships in reshaping the country’s defence landscape.
Ambassador Aduda is a recipient of the African Achievers Award.
