The Nigerian Army has on 6 August 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with Super Green Security LTD, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and with Command Engineering Depot for the production of military hardware and other defence equipment.
The signing of the MOUs is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order Number 5 signed into law in 2018 aimed at improving local content in public procurement of science, engineering and technological equipment.
It could be recalled that in line with the Federal Government’s desire to ensuring that individuals and organisations produce their basic needs, the NA has since keyed into the Federal Government’s agenda by ingeniously manufacturing some combat vehicles and equipment such as Ezugwu Mines Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, TYB Infantry Patrol Vehicles, the Conqueror MRAPs, boots, steel helmets and fragmentation jackets among others.
The representative of the Chief of Army Staff at the signing was Lt Gen LO Adeosun, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army). The representatives of Super Green Security Nigeria Ltd and of Command Engineering Depot were Major General AB Abubakar (rtd) and Major General SS Araoye, respectively.
The Director General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, Major General Victor Ezugwu while signing the agreements commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for making the Army to be gradually self-sustaining in the development and production of Military hardware and equipment.
These commendable efforts by the Nigerian Army under Lt Gen TY Buratai have saved the nation huge amount of foreign exchange that could have been used in the Procurement/purchase of these products/equipment which are usually not readily available in the open market.