Defence Minister links global conflicts to delays in Nigeria’s military procurement

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has attributed delays in the country’s military procurement efforts to ongoing global conflicts, saying the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have placed unprecedented pressure on international arms supply chains.

Speaking at a security stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the minister said the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict and escalating tensions in the Middle East have significantly disrupted the production and delivery of military equipment needed for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

According to Badaru, global demand for weapons, ammunition and military technology has surged as countries involved in active conflicts receive priority from major defence manufacturers, leaving other nations facing longer delivery timelines.

“The global arms market is currently under immense pressure,” the minister said. “The ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have increased demand for military hardware, leading to delays in the fulfillment of procurement contracts for countries like Nigeria.”

The minister noted that the supply chain disruptions have affected the delivery of critical military assets, including drones, ammunition, armoured vehicles and other tactical equipment required for ongoing security operations across the country.

Despite these challenges, he said the Armed Forces remain committed to sustaining offensives against criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.

Badaru also raised concerns over the activities of local informants who allegedly provide intelligence to bandits and terrorist groups, undermining military operations.

“One of the major challenges confronting our security forces is the leakage of operational information. Some individuals within affected communities continue to collaborate with criminal elements by revealing troop movements and operational plans,” he said.

In response to the procurement difficulties, the federal government is accelerating efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

The minister said the government is investing in local production of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and improve Nigeria’s ability to respond to security threats.

He added that recent partnerships and expansion projects at DICON are expected to boost local capacity for the assembly and production of military hardware.

Badaru assured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies remain focused on combating insecurity despite the challenges posed by global supply shortages.

He said security forces are adapting their strategies by relying more on intelligence-driven operations, rapid-response units and inter-agency collaboration to confront armed groups across the country.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring peace in troubled regions and strengthening national security through a combination of military action, local intelligence gathering and increased domestic defence production.