ABUJA, Nigeria — Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged Nigeria to significantly boost local arms production and strengthen financial measures against illicit flows as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat the nation’s growing insecurity challenges effectively.
Kalu made the call during a keynote address at a national security symposium held in Abuja over the weekend. He argued that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign military equipment has proven inadequate and unsustainable, leaving the country vulnerable to the evolving tactics of insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements operating across various geopolitical zones.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the time has come for Nigeria to prioritise self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. He noted that countries that have successfully curbed internal insurgencies and external threats are those that invested heavily in indigenous military-industrial complexes. He pointed to nations such as Turkey, Israel, and South Korea as examples of countries that transformed their defence sectors through local production.
Kalu specifically called for the revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), which has the statutory mandate to manufacture weapons, ammunition, and military hardware for the Nigerian armed forces. He noted that DICON has remained largely underfunded and underutilised for decades, forcing Nigeria to spend billions of naira importing weapons that could potentially be produced locally at a fraction of the cost.
The Deputy Speaker further stressed that local arms production would not only enhance national security but also create jobs, stimulate technological innovation, and reduce the pressure on foreign exchange reserves. He estimated that Nigeria currently spends over $1 billion annually on arms imports, a figure he described as unsustainable given the country’s economic realities.
In addition to boosting local production, Kalu advocated for stronger financial measures to disrupt the flow of illicit funds that finance criminal enterprises. He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to intensify efforts to track and freeze assets linked to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
The Deputy Speaker noted that criminal networks have become increasingly sophisticated in their financial operations, using cryptocurrencies, informal remittance systems, and shell companies to launder proceeds from ransom payments and illegal activities. He urged parliament to expedite the passage of pending legislation aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
Kalu also recommended enhanced collaboration between Nigeria’s security agencies and their counterparts in neighbouring countries, given the transnational nature of many criminal operations. He specifically mentioned the need for joint border patrols, intelligence sharing, and coordinated financial investigations with Benin Republic, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
The Deputy Speaker’s remarks have received mixed reactions from security analysts and civil society groups. Some have praised his focus on local production as a long-overdue policy shift, while others have expressed concerns about the potential for locally manufactured weapons to fall into the wrong hands without robust regulatory oversight.
Representatives of the Nigerian military have previously indicated support for increased local production, citing frequent delays and bureaucratic hurdles in the procurement of foreign weapons. They have also noted that imported weapons are often not suited to Nigeria’s unique terrain and operational requirements, including the dense forests of the North-Central and the vast waterways of the South-South.
Kalu concluded his address by calling on the executive branch to prioritise funding for DICON and other defence manufacturing initiatives in the upcoming budget cycle. He also urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to provide the necessary legislative support to ensure that Nigeria’s dream of arms self-sufficiency becomes a reality rather than a recurring talking point.
As insecurity continues to claim lives and disrupt economic activities across Nigeria, the Deputy Speaker’s advocacy for local arms production adds a new dimension to the ongoing national debate on how best to restore peace and order. For now, the ball is in the court of the executive and legislative branches to translate these proposals into actionable policies.
