The Nigerian Federal Government has reiterated its stance against using foreign mercenaries to address the nation’s security challenges, emphasizing that such measures are unsustainable.
Instead, the government is prioritizing partnerships to localize the production of military equipment, particularly through collaborations with China, to reduce dependency on imports and eliminate associated delays. 
During a joint press conference at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, discussed enhancing bilateral relations.
Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in fostering regional peace and security, stating,
“We are committed to working with partners like China to localize the production of military hardware.
This approach will eliminate unnecessary delays and enable us to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting our security needs.”
This collaboration builds on President Bola Tinubu’s earlier state visit to China in 2024, which laid the groundwork for greater economic and political cooperation.
Areas of focus included energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and petrochemical development.
Tuggar also stressed the importance of developing both kinetic and non-kinetic military capabilities domestically, further reinforcing the nation’s long-term security strategy.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi lauded Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and welcomed plans to issue panda bonds under the bilateral currency swap agreement, initially established in 2018 between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the People’s Bank of China, valued at CN¥15 billion.
Wang encouraged Nigeria to explore these renminbi-denominated bonds to fund critical infrastructure projects, such as railway modernization.
The deepening partnership between Nigeria and China highlights a shared commitment to addressing security challenges and driving economic growth.
Observers hope these initiatives will not only enhance Nigeria’s self-reliance but also inspire further development across the continent.
As the government intensifies its efforts, the public is optimistic about the potential for transformative change in security and economic resilience.
