The newly confirmed Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, has called on the Federal Government to urgently develop a domestic military industrial base to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign arms suppliers.
Speaking during his screening before the Senate in Abuja, General Oluyede warned that continued reliance on imported military hardware was “unsustainable, costly, and dangerous”, stressing that true national security must be built on local capacity.
“For Nigeria to move forward, it is imperative that we develop our own military industrial complex,” he said. “We cannot keep buying from outside. These things are extremely expensive. It is incumbent on us to build the capacity to produce the equipment we need to fight and win wars.”
Oluyede, who was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to coordinate the country’s armed forces, noted that although the military had made notable progress in combating insecurity, its effectiveness was still undermined by inadequate resources and dependence on foreign procurement.
He said local production of defence equipment would enhance operational readiness, cut costs, and secure strategic independence, adding that no nation could claim full sovereignty without control over its defence production.
“Developing a strong local industry will strengthen our armed forces, stimulate the economy, and create jobs,” he added.
Reflecting on his tenure as the 24th Chief of Army Staff, General Oluyede highlighted emerging challenges such as cyber warfare, misinformation, and weak internal policing, urging stronger inter-agency coordination and innovation in response.
He also emphasized the need to restructure and empower the Nigeria Police Force to effectively manage internal security, allowing the military to concentrate on external defence and counterterrorism operations.
“To be a soldier is to surrender your life for others to live,” he said. “That sacrifice must be honoured with respect and proper welfare for personnel and their families.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the nominee’s forthrightness and service record, describing him as “a man of action who leads from the front.”