Government To End Importation Of Defence Equipment In 5 Years, Says Defence Minister

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to end the importation of defence equipment in five years, thereby saving the country ₦5.06 trillion annually.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, disclosed this on Thursday, January 29, 2026, while unveiling ‘X-Shield Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle’ produced by X-Shield, a defence and security solutions provider company.

The Minister, represented by the Director-General, Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, said the unveiling represented more than a product launch but rather signified the successful convergence of security needs, indigenous capabilities, industrial expertise, and commercial opportunity

He noted that DICON’s joint venture led to the unveiling of an indigenously conceptualised, built light tactical vehicle and other indigenous solutions to executive vehicles by armouring them.

He said, “This is just the beginning.We do more so that we can ensure that all required defence and security equipment are produced locally and in two or five years time there will be no more importation.”

He noted that the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria was established with a clear mandate to drive indigenous defence manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and position Nigeria as a credible producer of military and security equipment.

He said that the mandate cannot be achieved in isolation as it requires strategic partnerships with organisations that possesd not only technical skill, but discipline, vision, and long-term commitment.

He commended X-Shield for proving itself to be such a worthy partner.

He said the vehicles were designed for the realities of modern operations, which include mobility, protection, adaptability, and survivability, while remaining cost-effective and suitable for local production and sustainment.

The director-general said the partnership between DICON and the private sector delivers multiple dividends by strengthening Nigeria’s defence industrial base, creating skilled jobs and transfers technical knowledge.

“It conserves foreign exchange by localising production, and importantly, it opens pathways for export and regional leadership in defence manufacturing,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria Act 2023 into law.

“Let me conclude by reaffirming that the future of Nigeria’s defence and security capability will be built at home by Nigerian hands through trusted partnerships such as the one we celebrate today,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of X Shield, Mr Charles Ibanga, said the firm believed that Nigeria can design, build, and sustain world-class armoured mobility and defence solutions—locally, professionally, and competitively.

He said the Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle and civilian armoured platforms were tangible proof of that belief in action.

He added that the demand for armoured mobility continued to rise across defence and security agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and the private sector, hence, X Shield has positioned itself as a credible and dependable indigenous solution provider.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the last quarter of 2023, he said Nigeria’s spending on armoured vehicles exceeded its spending on fuel. “The country imported over ₦5.06 trillion worth of armoured vehicles, compared to ₦1.81 trillion spent on petrol—a difference of ₦3.25 trillion, with armoured vehicles accounting for 35.87% of total imports,” he said.

He said the figures clearly underscored the urgent need for local manufacturing, sustainment, and MRO capabilities.

“As a company, we see significant potential to support government agencies, law enforcement, critical institutions, private individuals, businesses, and multinational corporations with advanced armoured vehicle solutions and professional MRO services,” Ibanga added.