Musa, defence minister, seeks China’s technology transfer on military hardware production

Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has begun a high-level working visit to China aimed at securing technology transfer agreements and strengthening local military manufacturing through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

The week-long visit is expected to deepen defence cooperation between Nigeria and China while advancing plans to modernise the Armed Forces of Nigeria and reduce the country’s dependence on imported military hardware.

Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Defence, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the visit forms part of the Federal Government’s strategy to accelerate military modernisation and boost indigenous defence production through strategic international partnerships.

Leading a Nigerian delegation in Beijing, Musa said the Federal Government is pursuing strategic partnerships that would position Nigeria as a producer of defence equipment rather than merely a consumer.

He said the government planned to leverage DICON to expand local production lines, facilitate technology transfer and build sustainable self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

According to him, Nigeria is also integrating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into its national security architecture to enable the Armed Forces of Nigeria tackle evolving asymmetric threats more effectively.

“Our focus is clear: we are committed to partnerships that do not just make Nigeria a consumer, but an active producer. Through DICON, we

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The visit commenced at the Innovation Centre of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), where the delegation explored advanced defence technologies and innovation systems.
Musa later visited the headquarters and exhibition centre of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO Group), one of China’s leading defence manufacturers.

During the visit, the Nigerian delegation inspected a range of military equipment, including land combat platforms, artillery systems, specialised ammunition and integrated defence solutions.

The minister also held a closed-door meeting with NORINCO’s president and senior executives, with discussions focusing on technology transfer, technical capacity development and the establishment of joint production lines in Nigeria in partnership with DICON.

At the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, received the delegation and described the visit as timely, saying it would further strengthen the strategic relationship between both countries.

Dambazau pledged the embassy’s support towards advancing Nigeria’s defence interests throughout the official engagement.

Musa also visited the embassy’s Defence Section, where he met with Defence Attachés and other officials. He commended their service and urged them to continue promoting Nigeria’s military diplomacy across Asia.

The Ministry of Defence said the visit is expected to deliver both immediate and long-term benefits, including enhanced military capabilities, improved logistics and supply chains, expanded local defence production, greater strategic self-reliance and stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.

The engagement comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to revitalise DICON under ongoing reforms aimed at developing Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on foreign military procurement.