Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has called for enhanced defence collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The call came during a high-level strategic meeting held at the British Parliament’s House of Lords with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
Ambassador Aduda, a former OPEC Governor and seasoned diplomat, led discussions centred on boosting bilateral cooperation in defence, security, and industrial development. Central to the talks was the transformation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Nigeria’s foremost defence manufacturing institution.
In his remarks, Aduda emphasized the Nigerian government’s resolve to reposition DICON as a commercially viable, investor-friendly entity capable of addressing national and regional security challenges. He advocated for a clear separation between DICON’s regulatory oversight and its commercial operations to create transparency and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
“In its current form, DICON possesses significant potential, but it requires a more defined governance and operational structure to attract credible global partners,” Aduda said. “Restructuring DICON will stimulate local innovation, build international partnerships, and boost investor confidence.”
Lord Marland welcomed the reform initiative, pledging the UK’s support for Nigeria’s defence modernization goals. He stressed the role of partnerships in promoting technology co-development, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. He noted that platforms such as CWEIC are instrumental in linking UK defence firms with Nigeria’s strategic transformation agenda.
The meeting also explored investment opportunities in defence infrastructure, joint production ventures, and specialized training programmes. Both parties agreed on the need for sustainable collaborations that would enhance Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence production and contribute to regional security and economic development.
The session concluded with a commitment to establish a bilateral follow-up framework involving stakeholders from both countries’ public and private sectors. Plans for roundtable discussions, technical evaluations, and business linkages are underway to solidify long-term UK-Nigeria defence industrial cooperation.
Ambassador Aduda, a recipient of the African Achievers Award, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s defence and diplomatic engagements on the global stage.
