The Department of State Services and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure have begun producing advanced security equipment locally, marking a significant shift towards technological independence in Nigeria’s security sector.
Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing in Abuja, describing the initiative as a critical milestone in reducing the country’s reliance on foreign security hardware.
“A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility jointly constructed with the DSS in Abuja is fully equipped with the latest security systems and technology that will transform the conduct of security operations nationwide,” Halilu stated.
He explained that the equipment, developed through collaboration between both agencies with presidential backing, would strengthen intelligence gathering capabilities and expand national security coverage across the country.
According to Halilu, the Director-General of DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has repeatedly emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fostering self-reliance amongst security agencies and minimising dependence on imported equipment.
The NASENI chief noted that technical personnel from both organisations had undergone training to build capacity for manufacturing the equipment, although he declined to provide specific details, citing security considerations.
“The President firmly believes that Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture its own security equipment and should minimise reliance on foreign imports. This strategic partnership leverages NASENI’s scientific and engineering expertise to enhance research and innovation tailored specifically to the needs of the security sector,” he said.
Halilu projected that the successful implementation of the project would position Nigeria as a regional hub for security technology manufacturing in West Africa, with potential benefits for regional stability and economic development.
“The initiative reflects the President’s broader priorities to promote self-reliance and technological advancement in security systems, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable security solutions,” he added.
Earlier this year, security analyst Bright Echefu had argued that Nigeria possessed sufficient indigenous capacity to address its security challenges without depending on foreign support through locally developed technology.
For decades, Nigeria has relied heavily on other countries for military equipment, spare parts, and technical know-how—a situation that has frequently resulted in delays and operational difficulties during emergencies.
Security experts have consistently warned that such dependence weakens military preparedness and threatens national sovereignty.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, recently underscored the importance of the military adopting local technology and innovation to bolster national security infrastructure.
