Defense Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has said that Nigeria’s proactive strategy to integrate emerging technologies and Artificial Intelligence into its national security architecture will ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain ahead of modern asymmetric threats. Speaking when he led a delegation to China for high-level engagements on defense, security cooperation, and strategic partnership between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China, the Minister said, “Our focus is clear; we are committed to partnerships that do not just make Nigeria a consumer, but an active producer.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister, Leah Katung-Babatunde, said the aim of the visit was to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, fast-track the modernization of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), and radically boost Nigeria’s local military production capabilities. “Through DICON, we will expand local production lines, drive absolute technology transfer, and achieve sustainable self-reliance in defense manufacturing to secure our nation,” Musa said during his working visit to the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation(CETC) Innovation Centre.
The Minister also visited the Headquarters and Exhibition Centre of the renowned China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO Group) in pursuit of defensive self-reliance. “The delegation toured the exhibition, assessing NORINCO’s robust portfolio of land platforms, advanced artillery systems, specialized ammunition, and integrated defense solutions.” Musa held a closed-door bilateral meeting with the President and Senior Executives of NORINCO, where discussions centered on concrete technology transfer, technical capacity building, and establishing joint production lines in Nigeria in direct partnership with the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
He was at the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, and was received by Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), Nigeria’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. The Ambassador commended the Minister’s visit, noting its pivotal role in cementing the strategic geopolitical relationship between Nigeria and pledged the Embassy’s unwavering diplomatic support in advancing Nigeria’s defense interests throughout the week-long mission.
During a subsequent tour of the Embassy’s Defence Section, Musa interacted with Defence Attachés and staff, praising their commitment to national service and urging them to remain stellar ambassadors of Nigeria’s military diplomacy in Asia.MThe working visit is structured to deliver immediate and long-term dividends for Nigeria’s national security framework through capability enhancement and equipment modernization, sustainable logistics and supply chains, industrial and economic growth, and strategic self-reliance.
