Africa’s defence dilemma is no longer just a question of capability—it’s a matter of sovereignty, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy. Zulaykhah Aileru, a Certified Protection and Security Professional (PSP, CPP), has issued a stark warning to the Nigerian government and the broader African continent: over-reliance on foreign military suppliers is a vulnerability that cannot be ignored.
In her opinion piece, “Africa’s Defence Dilemma,” Aileru argues that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported arms has left the nation exposed at critical moments. She points to the 2016-2022 period, when Nigeria spent nearly $20 billion on defence and security, with much of that funding going to foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The consequences became painfully clear during the peak of the Boko Haram conflict, when the U.S. refused to sell weapons to Nigeria over human rights concerns, leaving the country scrambling for alternatives.
“At a moment of urgent need, we were left scrambling. This is the risk of overdependence on foreign allies for critical national defence,” Aileru said.
The call for self-sufficiency is not just about reducing foreign dependency—it’s about redefining Nigeria’s economic and technological future. Aileru highlights Executive Order 5, which mandates government agencies to prioritise indigenous technologies and local content. This policy has already spurred partnerships between the Ministry of Defence and private sector innovators, as well as renewed investments in institutions like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
“Today, some of Nigeria’s most advanced defence solutions, from drone surveillance to smart armour, are coming from local companies,” she said.
Yet, significant hurdles remain. Aileru identifies structural challenges such as lack of transparency in procurement, weak intellectual property protection, slow testing approval cycles, and limited financial incentives for local defence entrepreneurs. To overcome these barriers, she advocates for tax breaks, export credits, and streamlined regulatory frameworks to boost indigenous capacity and attract investment.
The broader implications of this shift extend beyond Nigeria. A homegrown defence ecosystem would reduce external risks, retain economic value, and allow faster innovation in response to evolving threats like insurgency, piracy, and cyber warfare. Aileru’s message is clear: no sovereign nation should outsource its security entirely.
“Industrial sovereignty is non-negotiable,” she said. “Africa is no longer asking whether we can build our own defence technology. That question has been answered. The real question is: will we act?”
For policymakers, the answer must be decisive. Defence industrialisation is not just a security imperative—it is a catalyst for economic transformation and continental stability. The time to act is now.
