Nigeria and Pakistan Forge New Chapter in Defence Industry Collaboration
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to bolstering its defence capabilities by deepening strategic ties with Pakistan. In a landmark meeting held at Ship House, Abuja, the Minister engaged in discussions with a high-level Pakistani delegation led by General Shahir Shamsad.
Minister Badaru lauded Pakistan’s cost-effective counter-terrorism strategies, highlighting their potential as a model for Nigeria’s own security advancements. “The history of cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan provides a solid foundation for expanding collaboration in the defence sector,” he stated, emphasizing that the alliance is rooted in mutual respect, shared challenges, and aligned interests.
During the meeting, Minister Badaru advocated for stronger, partnership-oriented relations, free of coercion. He praised Pakistan’s approach to addressing terrorism and IED threats through local technologies, including affordable drones, and proposed focused collaboration in critical areas such as drone technology and innovations within Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation (DICON). These efforts aim to enhance Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity and drive innovation in military hardware.
General Shahir Shamsad commended DICON’s progress in producing local military equipment and recognized Nigeria’s strategic importance in Africa. He stressed that deeper cooperation would yield mutual benefits for both countries.
The meeting marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria-Pakistan defence relations, laying the groundwork for improved security and technological advancements. With both nations poised to leverage their strengths, this partnership signals a promising future for global defence collaboration.
