As Nigeria grapples with escalating insecurity—from insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings to rising cross-border criminal influxes—an important shift is underway. An emerging trend toward domestically designed and manufactured defence tools is proving a pivotal game-changer. Dr Bright Echefu, Chairman of EIB Stractoc Limited, recently showcased Nigeria’s progress during a tour of his Abuja facility, where the country’s growing capacity for homegrown security equipment was on full display.
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A push for Nigerian-made defence gear
Dr Echefu emphasised how new policy frameworks are opening doors for indigenous defence manufacturers. Under President Tinubu’s “Nigeria‑First” directive and the renewed‑hope policy, federal ministries and agencies are required to prioritise Nigerian-made products before exploring foreign alternatives.
“Before you look abroad, you must first check if a Nigerian company offers the services or products you need,” he said. “That policy has really helped us”
The impact is tangible: once‑imported essentials—uniforms, ammunition, rifles, surveillance systems, drones, and bombs—are now being produced domestically in significant volumes
Cutting‑edge locally produced surveillance tech
At the heart of this transformation is EIB Stractoc’s in‑house production of advanced surveillance tools. Among these are:
- Thermal-imaging devices are capable of detecting heat signatures, even from individuals concealed underground or in vegetation.
- Electronic detectors for locating hidden suspects or escapees in real time
Echefu noted that all of the company’s solutions are wholly Nigerian, not reliant on foreign manufacturing partnerships or technology transfers. This not only conserves foreign exchange but also keeps sensitive defence capabilities under sovereign control.
Enduring insecurity despite rising capability
Even as local capacity strengthens, Dr Echefu acknowledged that insecurity remains a complex, stubborn challenge. He attributed this to several factors:
- Long-entrenched local networks: Bandits, insurgents, and criminal cells are deeply woven into some communities. “You can’t just destroy everything because of one person,” he warned.
- Regional spillovers: Dr Echefu pointed to recent jailbreaks in neighbouring Niger Republic, leading to displaced militants crossing into Nigeria, adding pressure on already stretched security forces.
- Quiet operational gains: While combat operations often lead to significant arrests and the neutralisation of threats, successes typically go unsung. “If you dig deeper, you’ll be shocked at how many threats have been neutralised,” he said, lamenting that military achievements aren’t publicised enough.
From 2010 to 2025: Technology-driven evolution
Comparing today’s landscape with the dark days of 2010–2011—during the height of Boko Haram—Dr Echefu stressed how far the country has come:
- Military operations have evolved from reactive troop deployments to intelligence-driven, tech-supported precision actions.
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), modern optical-electronic systems, and locally sourced weapons have reshaped tactical capabilities and reduced reliance on imports.
He celebrated this trajectory as Nigeria’s own success story in defence innovation.
A rapidly growing local defence workforce
EIB Stractoc’s achievements extend beyond manufacturing. The company employs over 1,000 Nigerians, many of whom work closely with military and paramilitary units. The challenge now is scaling production to meet surging demand, both within national security circles and across regional borders, seeking modern equipment.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” Dr Echefu reflected. “With the right support, Nigeria can become a global leader in defence technology.”
Policy as the engine of security transformation
Two major policy pillars have underpinned the local defence renaissance:
- Nigeria‑First initiative: Mandates federal agencies to source domestic solutions where available.
- Renewed‑hope policy: Ensures that local content in procurement is prioritised, and that federal budgets actively stimulate homegrown innovation.
This twin framework has incentivised companies like EIB Stractoc to invest heavily in research, design, and manufacturing, building security resilience from within.
Broader implications for national security and the economy
The benefits are multi‑layered:
- Cost‑effectiveness: Local production cuts import bills and stabilises defence expenditure.
- Sovereignty: Proprietary designs and manufacturing reduce exposure to external bans or supply chain manipulations.
- Job creation: Thousands of skilled engineers, technicians, and support staff bolster the domestic economy.
- Regional export potential: With continued innovation and scaling, locally built drones, surveillance systems, and armaments could be exported across Africa, giving Nigeria a new soft‑power advantage.
What’s next for Nigeria’s defence ecosystem?
To fully leverage homegrown security solutions, experts say Nigeria must focus on:
- Investment in R&D: Ensuring sustained funding for upgrades, new tools, and innovation pipelines.
- Capacity building: Creating technical training programs and localised certification standards.
- Public‑private partnerships: Encouraging joint ventures to share risk and scale production.
- Media spotlighting: Increasing transparency around military and defence sector achievements to inspire confidence and attract investment.
Dr Echefu is optimistic: “We’ve built the blueprint. Now it’s about execution—so Nigeria can, by itself, patrol our borders, monitor our spaces, and maintain peace.”
Conclusion
Nigeria’s strategy to confront deep‑rooted insecurity is shifting in fundamental ways. By combining forward‑looking policy, local innovation, and full control of defence tools—from bombs and bullets to UAVs and thermal drones—the country is crafting a security ecosystem that is homegrown, sustainable, and scalable.
The message from experts like Dr Bright Echefu is clear: the future of Nigeria’s security lies not in buying from abroad, but in building at home.
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