The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Army and indigenous defence manufacturers to strengthen national security, accelerate military modernisation and boost Nigeria’s defence industrial capacity.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday while receiving the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The Army chief commended Proforce Group for its growth and international recognition since its establishment in 2008, describing the company as “an institution that elicits national pride” and a reflection of Nigeria’s expanding defence manufacturing capability.
He said increased patronage of locally produced defence equipment would enhance operational effectiveness while promoting innovation, creating skilled jobs, conserving foreign exchange and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.
According to him, the Nigerian Army’s recent expansion from eight to 12 divisions has increased the need for sustainable local production and cost-effective procurement to support force development and long-term operational capability.
Shaibu urged Proforce to intensify efforts in developing indigenous technologies suited to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, particularly in Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (Counter-IED) systems, ground-penetrating radar, foliage-penetrating surveillance technologies and other force protection capabilities.
He also directed closer technical collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the company in areas such as signal intelligence, facial recognition, unmanned systems and dark web exploitation to strengthen intelligence-led operations, disrupt criminal and terrorist networks and improve troop protection across operational theatres.
Earlier, Proforce Group Managing Director, Ade Ogundeyin, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its continued support and confidence in indigenous defence solutions.
Ogundeyin said Proforce has evolved into a multi-domain defence technology company with capabilities in armoured vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, tactical equipment, weapons manufacturing, intelligence solutions, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s sovereign defence technologies, noting that local manufacturing enhances operational security, shortens logistics timelines and provides responsive technical support tailored to the operational needs of the Armed Forces of Nige
