Nigeria’s defence sector is undergoing a quiet revolution, one driven not by government agencies, but by a burgeoning private sector eager to address the country’s complex security challenges. Zulaykhah Aileru, a certified protection and security professional, has highlighted this shift, arguing that Nigerian tech firms are now at the forefront of military innovation—developing solutions that are faster, more cost-effective, and better tailored to local threats than traditional procurement channels.
“Some of the most advanced solutions today, such as AI-powered surveillance drones, wearable smart armour, and real-time border alert systems, are being conceptualised and deployed by Nigerian tech entrepreneurs,” Aileru said in an interview with journalists. “These firms are not just innovating; they are filling urgent capability gaps that traditional procurement channels have struggled to address.”
This trend is reshaping Nigeria’s defence ecosystem, where private companies are leveraging local expertise to design systems that respond directly to the country’s security needs—from asymmetric warfare to cross-border threats. Aileru attributes this surge in private sector involvement to the agility, cost-efficiency, and deep understanding of local terrain that Nigerian innovators bring to the table. Unlike foreign imports, which often come with high costs and limited adaptability, homegrown solutions are being developed with Nigeria’s unique challenges in mind.
While public institutions like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) remain critical to the country’s defence industrial development, Aileru stresses that the government must do more to support private innovators. She calls for funding, strategic partnerships, and favourable policy frameworks that enable closer collaboration between tech firms and the military—particularly in prototyping, field testing, and scaling solutions.
“Clear mechanisms are needed to allow local tech firms to work hand in hand with the military,” she said. “This includes streamlining procurement processes, strengthening intellectual property protections, and offering tax incentives to encourage private sector participation in defence technology development.”
Aileru’s vision extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, arguing that a robust homegrown defence industry is essential not just for national security, but also for economic transformation and regional influence. If Nigeria can scale its current innovations, she believes the country could emerge as a defence technology hub within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), reducing reliance on foreign imports and positioning itself as a leader in African military innovation.
“Africa can no longer afford to rely solely on imported systems,” she said. “We have the knowledge base, the security urgency, and the innovation capacity to lead our own defence future.”
As Nigeria’s private sector continues to push the boundaries of military technology, the country stands at a crossroads. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between public and private sectors, Nigeria could not only enhance its own security capabilities but also set a precedent for the rest of the continent. The question now is whether policymakers will seize this opportunity to transform Nigeria into a self-sustaining defence powerhouse—or let it slip away.
