Nigeria is seeking a stronger and more balanced defence-industrial partnership with Türkiye, anchored on joint production, local manufacturing, technology transfer and sustainable industrial development.

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, made the call at the 7th Nigeria–Türkiye Defence Industry Business Forum held in Abuja.

Musa said Nigeria must move beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship with Türkiye and establish partnerships that build the country’s capacity to produce, maintain and upgrade defence equipment locally.

“We must therefore progressively move beyond a predominantly buyer–seller relationship towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial partnership founded on joint production, local manufacturing, technology transfer, research and development, maintenance, repair and overhaul, skills development and sustainable industrial cooperation.”

He said the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 provides the legal and institutional framework for developing a self-reliant defence industry while expanding opportunities for private-sector participation and strategic international partnerships.

The minister said Nigeria’s ambition is to develop an industrial ecosystem capable of positioning the country as a competitive defence manufacturing hub in Africa.

According to him, such an ecosystem would create skilled jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains, promote innovation and contribute to both national security and economic growth.

Musa also highlighted the growing importance of emerging technologies in modern warfare, including unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, advanced communications, cyber capabilities, precision systems, surveillance technologies and space-based assets.

He stressed that Nigeria must develop the capacity not only to acquire such technologies but also to understand, adapt, manufacture, maintain and improve them.

The minister described Türkiye’s transformation into a major defence-industrial power as an important example for Nigeria, citing its investment in research and development, innovation, private-sector participation and cooperation between government, the military, research institutions and industry.

“Nigeria therefore views the Turkish defence industry not merely as a source of equipment, but as a strategic partner in our defence industrialisation journey,” he said.

Musa said a deeper Nigeria–Türkiye partnership could also open opportunities in the wider African market, given Nigeria’s large domestic market, strategic location and human-capital base.

He urged Nigerian and Turkish companies to move beyond general expressions of interest and pursue concrete partnerships with clear investment commitments, production arrangements, timelines and measurable outcomes.

The minister identified joint ventures, co-production, technology licensing and transfer, local assembly, component manufacturing, maintenance and repair, research and development, training and defence supply-chain integration as key areas for cooperation.

He said technology transfer and local capacity development must remain central to the partnership.

“The ultimate measure of success should not simply be the delivery of a platform or system, but the extent to which Nigerian personnel, institutions and industries acquire the knowledge and capabilities to sustain and further develop that capability,” Musa said.

He assured Turkish investors that Nigeria remains open to credible defence-industrial partnerships, while emphasising the need for transparency, protection of intellectual property, responsible technology transfer and a predictable investment environment.

Musa expressed confidence that sustained cooperation between both countries would produce tangible outcomes, strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities, create employment and deepen local industrial capacity.