President Bola Tinubu has pledged to ramp up Nigeria’s local production of arms and ammunition to strengthen the fight against insurgency, emphasizing reduced reliance on foreign suppliers.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the National Defence College (NDC) Course 33 graduation in Abuja on August 22, 2025, Tinubu highlighted the move as critical to enhancing national security.

“Strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development" - Bola Tinubu 

commending the NDC’s research excellence, particularly its Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040, Tinubu  directed stakeholders to study the report’s strategies to bolster local defense capabilities.

The President underscored the importance of robust institutions for security and development, noting his administration’s focus on upholding the rule of law, accountability, and effective governance. He cited a 48% year-on-year stock market growth as evidence of economic confidence but acknowledged ongoing challenges like inflation and food insecurity.

Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to completing the NDC’s permanent site in Piwoyi, envisioning it as a future Defence Postgraduate University, urging Course 33 graduates—drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and allied nations—to tackle complex security threats, including banditry and oil theft, with strategic leadership.

The NDC’s Commandant, Rear Admiral J.O. Okosu, and Deputy Commandant, Major General Kevin Ukandu, emphasized the graduates’ training in defense management and geopolitics to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Supporters view the push for local arms production as a step toward self-reliance, while critics argue it must be paired with broader economic and security reforms to succeed. The initiative aligns with Tinubu’s broader agenda to fortify Nigeria’s security architecture amid ongoing insurgencies.