The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced that it will soon unveil a range of military weapons and equipment made in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army has lent its support to the domestication of these weapons, stating that they will be crucial in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other security threats in the country.
NASENI has partnered with indigenous research institutions and industries – such as the Nigeria Machine Tools and the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers – to produce a range of weapons, including the 12.7mm AA Gun, armoured personnel carrier vehicles (APCVs), unmanned aerial drones and other light weapons. These weapons will be exclusively used by the military.
The executive vice chairman and chief executive of NASENI, Engr, Mohammed Haruna, recently visited the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya to discuss the implementation of presidential directives on NASENI’s research and development of military weapons and other technology. Haruna also requested strategic guidelines on how to carry out the presidential directive, bearing in mind that the armed forces of Nigeria are the end users of the product of these collaborative efforts, a statement signed by NASENI’s deputy director of information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, said.
The Chief of Army Staff expressed his support for the local production of military weapons, stating that it would improve Nigeria’s possession of military hardware and create employment opportunities for Nigerians. He also encouraged NASENI to continue its research and development efforts.
It is worth noting that this move towards locally produced military weapons aligns with the Nigerian government’s efforts to promote indigenous manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
The Nigerian Army’s support for NASENI’s initiatives is a significant step towards achieving this goal and it could also have a positive impact on the nation’s economy by creating job opportunities and promoting technology transfer. Moreover, the production of these military weapons and equipment within the country’s borders will enhance the nation’s security by improving the Armed Forces’ access to reliable and effective hardware, thereby strengthening their ability to combat insurgencies, banditry and other security threats.
