Nigeria Must Prioritise Local Defence Contractors For National Security, Economic Growth – Opinion

While Nigeria strives for self-reliance and national security, its defence procurement landscape remains heavily tilted in favour of foreign contractors. Despite significant strides in capacity development, manufacturing, design, and operational capability, Nigerian-owned defence companies face systemic bias and limited access to government contracts.

This preference for foreign contractors and solutions incurscosts: economically, strategically, and technologically. If Nigeria is committed to developing a robust, sovereign, and exportable defence industry, it must start by prioritising local contractors.

Foreign Firms Still Get The First Call

Today, many Nigerian defence companies have developed capacity. They offer reliable, innovative, and scalable solutions, including the production of sensitive equipment/systems, tactical vehicles, protective gear, and training facilities. Yet, when the time comes for procurement, tenders and negotiations disproportionately favour foreign companies and suppliers.

These foreign firms are not only awarded high-value contracts but are often given easier access to key decision-makers. Local companies, by contrast, face endless social and political hurdles: excessive scrutiny, limited engagement from end-users, and a lack of pilot opportunities to prove their systems in the field.

The Cost of Marginalising Our Local Industry

The consequences of this procurement imbalance are far-reaching:

•⁠ ⁠Capital Flight: Nigeria loses billions annually by supporting foreign companies instead of helping Nigerian-owned businesses. This practice enriches foreigners economically and denies local firms the opportunity to collaborate with international partners, which could enhance technology transfer, experience, and knowledge-sharing.

•⁠ ⁠Job Loss: Neglecting local defence companies negatively impacts the Nigerian economy and leads to job losses. Manufacturing opportunities that could employ thousands of Nigerian youth are instead given to foreign factories, resulting in the creation and maintenance of valuable jobs overseas that could have been retained in Nigeria.

•⁠ ⁠Technology Dependence: Relying on foreign suppliers undermines Nigeria’s ability to develop, control, or modify critical defence platforms. When Nigerian companies receive support, they are encouraged to strengthen partnerships with foreign technology partners, who can provide training and opportunities for technology transfer. This strategy is essential for helping Nigerian companies develop the necessary technology more quickly.

•⁠ ⁠Export Inhibition: Without domestic validation, Nigerian-made defence products face challenges in entering foreign markets. Nigeria aims to promote exports across all sectors. For exportation to be successful, our products and solutions must meet international standards. The export of Nigerian defence products will struggle unless these items are first given a chance to succeed in Nigeria. We need to develop our local industry, validate our products, and then actively launch them into regional and continental markets.

Brazil And India: Case Studies in Strategic Patronage

Countries such as Brazil and India have demonstrated how intentional local patronage can foster globally competitive defence industries.

In Brazil, companies like Embraer and IMBEL grew under government-backed contracts and patronage. The Brazilian Armed Forces committed to buying local, even when products were still under development and maturing. Today, Brazil exports military aircraft and arms globally and has become a respected defence manufacturer.

India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative transformed its defence sector by mandating local sourcing. Companies like Bharat Forge, TATA Advanced Systems, and Larsen & Toubroreceived long-term government backing, which allowed them to scale and improve. India now produces high-quality drones, tanks, and artillery systems with export potential.

The lesson is clear: Nations that support local firms boost their economies, strengthen national defence, and enhance global influence.

A Call For Reorientation in Nigeria

Nigerian companies require more than just praise; they need patronage. Securing contracts, creating opportunities, and engaging in long-term planning are essential for our local defence firms to thrive.

We call on the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Police, and all relevant government agencies to:

1.⁠ ⁠Adopt a Local-First Procurement Policy: Allocate a specific percentage of all defence procurement contracts to Nigerian companies.

2.⁠ ⁠Award Contracts for Capability and Growth: Support local businesses by placing genuine orders instead of merely making promises or running pilot tests. Various procurement models can be utilized to encourage the growth of local companies while minimizing risks for buyers. We urge the Armed Forces and relevant purchasers to explore these models in the interest of our collective growth.

3.⁠ ⁠Foster Strategic Partnerships with Local Leadership: The federal government, the armed forces, the police, and all other buyers should require foreign companies to partner with Nigerian companies in order to secure contracts. Similar to the laws in places like Dubai, foreign companies should not be eligible to secure defence contracts in Nigeria directly. They must partner with Nigerian defence companies to facilitate knowledge transfer and equity sharing with Nigerian firms.

4.⁠ ⁠Create End-User Incentives: Encourage military and police leaders to implement solutions made in Nigeria and provide rewards for successful adoption.

5.⁠ ⁠Establish a Nigerian Defence Development Fund: The government should create a Nigerian Defence Development Fund to provide long-term capital to local firms for research and development, infrastructure, and certifications.

The Time Is Now

Nigeria’s future security needs to be developed within the country. This requires us to trust our own companies and local initiatives to provide the solutions we need. Like Brazil and India, we must be willing to support homegrown solutions and products through their early challenges, understanding that true mastery comes with experience..

Local companies cannot thrive on encouragement alone—they require contracts, partnerships, and a long-term belief from their own country. We possess the talent, ambition, and drive. What we need now is opportunity.

If Nigeria aims to become a true continental power in defence and technology, the change must begin with a simple decision: Buy Nigerian, trust Nigerian, and defend Nigerian.

Bem Ibrahim Garba is a defence industry professional and advocate for indigenous industrial growth in Nigeria.

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