Nigeria Strengthens Defence Partnership with China to Boost Local Arms Production and Security Capabilities
Abuja, May 7, 2025 – Nigeria has significantly deepened its defence cooperation with China through a landmark agreement aimed at enhancing local military manufacturing, upgrading existing hardware, and improving regional security. The development was confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, following high-level meetings with leading Chinese defence firms including China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC).
Key Elements of the Partnership
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) and Chinese defence companies have signed an MoU to formalize cooperation, focusing on technology transfer, local production, and capacity building.
- Local Ammunition Production: The agreement includes establishing production lines in Kaduna State for various ammunition types such as 7.62×51mm ball and blank cartridges, 9×19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun rounds. Facilities will also produce brass casings and bullet jackets, reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imports.
- Maintenance and Upgrades: The partnership covers servicing and upgrading existing military hardware, including battle tanks, to extend operational life and effectiveness.
- Air Defence Modernization: Nigeria is exploring advanced Chinese air defence technologies, including the Sky Dragon air defence system and high-energy laser counter-drone systems, to strengthen the Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) project.
- Technical Training and Knowledge Exchange: Chinese partners will provide training programs to enhance the skills of Nigerian military personnel, supporting sustainable indigenous defence manufacturing.
Strategic and Regional Impact
This collaboration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which prioritizes national security and local industrial development. The partnership aims not only to bolster Nigeria’s defence autonomy but also to extend military engineering services to neighbouring African countries, contributing to regional stability.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the importance of sovereignty and local capacity, stating, “Nigeria must attain self-reliance in defence production. We welcome partners who respect our sovereignty and are committed to genuine technology transfer.”
Broader Context
The Nigeria-China defence partnership is part of a wider strategic upgrade following the January 2025 elevation of bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” China’s support includes military training, joint exercises, and infrastructure financing under initiatives like Peace Unity-2024, enhancing African nations’ security capabilities.
This collaboration also offers Nigeria an alternative to Western arms procurement, which often faces delays and regulatory hurdles. However, experts caution that increased arms availability must be matched with strong oversight to prevent misuse and ensure long-term peace.
