Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has said the Federal Government’s strategy to integrate emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into the country’s national security architecture will position the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) ahead of evolving asymmetric threats.
General Musa made the remarks during a high-level working visit to the People’s Republic of China aimed at strengthening defence and security cooperation between Nigeria and China.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the visit is designed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and significantly enhance the country’s local military production capabilities.
Leading a high-powered Nigerian delegation through a series of strategic diplomatic and industrial engagements in Beijing, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to strengthen national defence.
“Our focus is clear: we are committed to partnerships that do not just make Nigeria a consumer, but an active producer. Through DICON, we will expand local production lines, drive technology transfer, and achieve sustainable self-reliance in defence manufacturing to secure our nation,” General Musa stated during a visit to the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) Innovation Centre.
As part of efforts to advance Nigeria’s defence industrial base, the delegation also visited the headquarters and exhibition centre of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO Group), where they inspected a wide range of land platforms, advanced artillery systems, specialised ammunition, and integrated defence solutions.
The Minister later held a closed door bilateral meeting with the President and senior executives of NORINCO, with discussions focusing on technology transfer, technical capacity building, and the establishment of joint defence production lines in Nigeria in collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
At the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd), received the delegation and described the visit as timely, noting that it would further strengthen the strategic relationship between Nigeria and China. He also assured the delegation of the embassy’s full diplomatic support in advancing Nigeria’s defence interests throughout the mission.
General Musa also visited the Embassy’s Defence Section, where he met with Defence Attachés and staff, commending their dedication to duty and encouraging them to continue projecting Nigeria’s military diplomacy positively across Asia.
The week long working visit is expected to deliver both immediate and long term benefits for Nigeria through enhanced military capabilities, equipment modernization, improved logistics and supply chains, expanded local defence manufacturing, greater strategic self reliance, and strengthened bilateral defence relations with China.
