Why COAS Shaibu Wants Stronger Collabo With Army And Indigenous Defence Manufacturers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has advocated deeper collaboration between the Nigerian Army and indigenous defence manufacturers as a strategic pathway to strengthening national resilience, accelerating military modernisation and advancing Nigeria’s defence industrial capability.

He stated this on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 while receiving the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

The COAS congratulated Proforce Group on its remarkable growth and international recognition since its establishment in 2008, describing the company as “an institution that elicits national pride” and a testament to Nigeria’s growing defence industrial capacity. He noted that increased patronage of indigenous defence manufacturers not only enhances operational effectiveness but also stimulates local innovation, creates skilled employment, conserves foreign exchange and contributes to national economic resilience. He further observed that the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve Divisions underscores the need for sustainable local production and cost-effective procurement to support force development and long-term capability enhancement.

Lieutenant General Shaibu urged Proforce to continue advancing indigenous technologies tailored to Nigeria’s evolving security environment, particularly in the areas of Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (Counter-IED) systems, ground-penetrating radar, foliage-penetrating surveillance technologies and other force protection capabilities. He also directed closer technical collaboration between the Nigerian Army and Proforce in the fields of signal intelligence, facial recognition, unmanned systems and dark web exploitation to strengthen intelligence-led operations, disrupt criminal and terrorist networks and enhance the protection of troops across all theatres of operation.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Proforce Group, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its enduring partnership and confidence in indigenous defence solutions. He highlighted the company’s evolution into a multi-domain defence technology enterprise with capabilities spanning armoured vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, tactical equipment, weapons manufacturing, intelligence solutions and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services. He reaffirmed Proforce’s commitment to advancing sovereign defence technologies, noting that indigenous manufacturing enhances operational security, shortens logistics timelines and provides responsive technical support tailored to the operational requirements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Credit: Appolonia Anele,
Colonel, Acting Director Army Public Relations – 4 August 2026