The Ministry of Steel Development and Ministry of Defence have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the production of Military Hardware at the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The MOU was signed recently by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu and the Minister of State, Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Maureen Tine-Iulun, the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the steel ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mrs Tine-Iulun said that the MOU outlined a collaborative framework for the development and production of essential military equipment, utilising the vast resources and capabilities of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
“The MOU signed were in two parts: One signed between the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the other between Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the steel minister, Shuiabu Audu at the 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week in October, said the ministry had advanced discussions with the Ministry of Defence.
He added that DICON was also involved in plans to commence the production of input materials for military hardware.
He said the hardwares include rifles, vests, helmets and bullets at the Engineering workshop of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex which were to support the defence sector of the Nigeria economy for improved security.
Audu described the MOU as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s determination to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities, enhance local manufacturing and bolster national security.
According to him, the groundbreaking initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing and harnessing the strategic potential of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, one of Africa’s largest and most vital industrial assets.
“The collaboration seeks to leverage Ajaokuta’s steel production capabilities to develop high-quality military hardware, including armored vehicles, weapons, helmet and other defense equipment.
“The partnership will not only strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry but will help improve the security architecture of the country,” he said.
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He said the two ministries were confident that the partnership would open doors for further collaborations in the defence sector and support Nigeria’s broader industrialisation efforts.
(NAN)
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