London, United Kingdom – July 17, 2025
In a high-level meeting held at the British Parliament’s House of Lords, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Nigeria’s former OPEC Governor and now permanent secretary of the ministry of Defence, met with Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with particular focus on defence, security, and industrial development.
The meeting, which took place against the backdrop of increasing global security complexities and the growing need for sustainable defence partnerships, centred on deepening business and strategic collaboration between both nations. At the heart of the discussions was the restructuring and revitalization of Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) a the apex defence manufacturing institution in the country.
Ambassador Aduda emphasized the Nigerian Government’s commitment to transforming DICON into a commercially viable, investor-attractive entity that not only meets domestic security needs but also contributes to regional and international defence solutions. He noted that for DICON to achieve this vision, there is an urgent need to clearly delineate its regulatory functions from its commercial and manufacturing responsibilities. This separation, he explained, is key to unlocking the institution’s potential and creating a framework that enables private sector investment, particularly Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
“In its current form, DICON holds enormous potential but requires a more defined governance and operational structure to draw in credible global partners,” Aduda remarked. “A restructured DICON that functions within a clearly demarcated regulatory and commercial framework will offer the transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence needed to stimulate both local innovation and international collaboration.”
Lord Marland welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the UK’s readiness to support Nigeria’s drive towards a modernized and sustainable defence industry. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that promote knowledge transfer, technology co-development, and capacity building. He further noted that through institutions like the CWEIC, there is a clear opportunity to connect reputable UK defence and security firms with Nigeria’s strategic defence infrastructure transformation efforts.
Both parties explored avenues for investment in defence infrastructure, specialized training programmes, and joint production ventures between Nigerian and British firms. They agreed that such initiatives would not only improve Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence production but would also help boost regional security and economic growth.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to pursue a follow-up framework that would involve key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in Nigeria and the UK. This includes potential roundtable discussions, technical assessments, and business-to-business linkages aimed at creating a viable pathway for long-term UK-Nigeria defence industrial cooperation.
As Nigeria continues to reposition itself as a regional leader in defence manufacturing and innovation, strategic engagements such as this highlight the importance of visionary leadership, policy reform, and international partnerships in reshaping the country’s defence landscape.
Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda is a recipient of the African Achievers Award.
