In a statement released by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the Deputy Director in charge of Information in National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), disclosed that the agency is close to revealing its Made-in-Nigeria military weapons and equipment. On the other hand, the Nigerian Army has shown its support for the agency’s locally produced initiative by taking steps to domesticate the weaponry. This is meant to bolster the defense against insurgency, banditry, terrorism, and other threats to national security.
According to the Deputy Director, in cooperation with the Nigeria Machine Tools (NMT) Osogbo and the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, NASENI has begun manufacturing a 12.7mm AA Gun via reverse engineering. Vehicles designed to transport troops to safety, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and other small arms, are among the products being manufactured. During a visit to the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, NASENI Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Engr., Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, OFR confirmed the progress made by the agency in response to the President’s orders.
Presidents duties assigned to NASENI aligns with the agency mandate.
NASENI research and development was saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing proper military weaponry, other technologies, and combat equipment to help the Armed Forces in their struggle against insurgency, banditry, abduction, and the defense of the country’s territorial integrity. Prof. Haruna stated in his remarks that the duties assigned to NASENI by President Muhammadu Buhari align with the agency mandate of enhancing national development and security. This can be achieved through infrastructure development and practical implementation of the Federal Government’s National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy.
According to the NASENI Executive Vice Chairman, the Agency has begun working with both local manufacturers and research institutions, as well as international OEMs. The goal is to build up the necessary infrastructure and transmit the necessary technologies so that Nigeria can produce its own military weapons and equipment. As the Nigerian Armed Forces would be using the produced of these combined efforts. He added, he had come to meet with the Chief of Army Staff to get some strategic advice on how to implement the President’s order.
NASENI has found possible allies abroad for producing small arms.
He further noted that the agency is anticipating presidential involvement to begin mass production of the weapons for the armed forces. This accomplishment will allow the agency to re-open the Memorandum of Understanding talks on local manufacturing of weapons and MRAPs. He claimed that NASENI has found some possible allies abroad for the creation of small arms and light weapons, UAVs, air boats, MRAPs, APCs, and light aircraft (fixed wing and rotary wing). The Chief of Army Staff responded positively, stating that the Nigerian Army is in support of the NASENI initiative to produce indigenous weapons as it would aid the military and make their operations easier.
Moreover, he said that Nigeria’s military gear and weapons would benefit from increased local manufacture, with orders being readily available in the event of an emergency. Having the ability to manufacture weapons in Nigeria would allow the military to more quickly implement its own objectives by placing orders directly with local firms and dictating the terms under which the weapons would be deployed and placed. This will also help eliminate the misunderstandings over specifications that often arise when working with foreign manufacturers which he described as a concerning issue.
Chief of Army Staff urged NASENI to keep working on its development.
As he has pointed out, Lt. Gen. Yahaya stressed that there are additional advantages and benefits to manufacturing military equipment within a country’s national boundaries, including reducing time and costs for the government. To that end, the Chief of Army Staff has urged NASENI to keep working on its research and development of cutting-edge weaponry, equipment, tools, and supplies that would help the army provide optimum security across the country, allowing for further economic growth.
Related Link
NASENI: Website
NASENI to reveal Nigeria made military weapon. – The agency has begun producing a 12.7 mm AA Gun via reverse engineering. – Express your point of view.
This is a good development and archivement if it done because Nigeria spend billions of naira in by this firearms and this is so because those firearms are not produce in the country.
This is actually a good development. It really shows we are developing. I hope the military weapons made by NASENI will be used judiciously by the military.
This excellent idea of locally producing military weapon will really help the country a lot especially in the part of reduction of cost incurred to purchase weapons outside the country.
President should just grant access to mass production of these weapons to aid the military and demonstrate action against putting a stop to terrorism and kidnappings occurrence.
The agency has begun producing a 12.7 mm AA Gun via reverse engineering. Wow, that’s cool. Nigeria are very good, skills and talented. Government have to invest more in Nigeria not believing and depending so much in another country products.
Government should do what is expected from them so that Nigeria will be great
The federal govt should invest more in getting more of this product from the (NASENI). It is a sign we are developing. It will help challenge insecurity of the country. Well, the purpose of these weapons is judiciously exercised; who knows.
Manufacturing our own weapon locally is really a good development. It ensures mass production with relatively reduced cost, hence sufficient and efficient weapons to combat threat to national security
If we start making locally made weapon products it will really help us a lot in our defense aspect.
The government should create infrastructures that will help this NASENI group to grow better for a stronger partnership.
This new president should help this partnership grow because it will facilitate our military and help them combat more crimes.
We ought to work toward developing technology so that Nigeria can manufacture its own military weapons and equipment, and we should direct our efforts in that direction.
This is really nice our country is producing weapon it show we are ready to get developed more of this should be coming up we will not be importing weapon from other country we will use our money to build weapon now
Nigeria making military weapon is a great new to hear instead of getting involve in importing of weapon will be stop we provided our own now this is good is a sign of progress
It’s good we manufacture what we need locally. NASENI is really doing a great job and should be encouraged. With these, we’d cut the cost of importing military grade weapons
Making military weapons can serve as a new source of income for our country l. I hope they make good use of this development
What the government need to do right now is the encourage these infant industries because they will give us edge later in future.
This will aid in the fight against the country’s insecurity. This shows our progress as a species. There must be greater investment in this field in Nigeria.
The fact that Nigeria is now producing its own military gear is encouraging, as it means the country will no longer need to rely on foreign suppliers.
It is quite surprising to hear that Nigeria Armies have started manufacturing weapons and other equipment. It is just unfortunate that Nigerian government is now waking up to reality when other countries have gone many miles ahead of us.
We can’t wait to see what kinds of weapons and equipment NASENI has made. Nigerian are gradually waking up. Nigeria as a great nation has all it takes to compete favourably in science and technology with other countries including developed nations but bad leaders with selfish motives are not allowing the country to rise beyond her nose.