Nigeria and China have held a bilateral meeting on advancing practical cooperation in defence technology transfer, strengthening indigenous military production in Nigeria, and exploring wider defence-industrial collaboration.
This was the outcome of a meeting held between the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Chinese Minister of Equipment and Development, Air Chief Marshal Xu Xueqiang, on the sidelines of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
Both sides explored concrete avenues to:
- strengthen industrial partnerships between Nigerian and Chinese defence manufacturers;
- build technical and institutional capacity within Nigeria’s defence sector;
- enhance interoperability through cooperative training, exchange programmes and joint projects; and
- identify areas for feasible, sustainable technology transfer consistent with Nigerian law and international obligations.
The meeting reaffirms Nigeria’s interest in pursuing practical, transparent and mutually beneficial arrangements that will strengthen national defence capability and support economic and technological development at home. Both sides agreed to task relevant agencies to follow up on technical studies and proposals with a view to developing concrete programmes and, where appropriate, formal agreements.
Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence, noted in a press statement today that the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum brings together defence and security officials, military leaders and experts from around the world to discuss global and regional security challenges and cooperation.
He said: “The Ministry of Defence’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to active engagement in international defence diplomacy and capacity building.”
