Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Musa (retd.), has said the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the escalating tensions involving Israel and Iran, are contributing to a global shortage of military hardware, making it more difficult for Nigeria to procure weapons and equipment needed to tackle insecurity.
Speaking at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition in Abuja, the minister explained that the international demand for military equipment has surged as countries involved in the conflicts continue to stockpile weapons and defence systems.
According to him, the situation has disrupted global supply chains, resulting in delays and limited access to essential military equipment for several nations, including Nigeria.
“The conflicts in different parts of the world have placed immense pressure on the global arms market. Many countries are prioritising their domestic security requirements, and this has created challenges for nations seeking to acquire defence equipment,” Musa stated.
The minister noted that the development highlights the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen its local defence manufacturing capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers for military hardware.
He further stressed the importance of investing in indigenous defence technology, saying local production would enhance the country’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging security threats.
Musa also raised concerns over the absence of a comprehensive national database, describing it as a major challenge that limits the ability of security agencies to effectively identify and track criminal elements across the country.
Nigeria continues to battle various security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and organised crime in several regions.
The Defence Minister called for stronger collaboration between the government, private investors, and local defence industries to develop sustainable solutions that will improve the nation’s security architecture and ensure greater self-reliance in defence procurement.
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