Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (rtd), a defence innovation and industrial development expert, has said that Nigeria must be self-sufficient in military equipment production to end terrorism.

Masanawa stated this at the 6th Abuja Forum 2025 held at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja on Thursday.

The programme, themed “Deepening the Implementation of the “China-Africa Cooperation 2035 Vision” – Forging a Closer China-Africa Community with a Shared Future: Putting Theory into Practice”, was organized by The Gusau Institute and attracted participants from within and outside Nigeria.

He said that if Nigeria finds a way to produce military equipment locally, it would be easier for Africa to tackle terrorism.

“How do we support the Sahel region in fighting terrorism or counter-terrorism? We need to be self-sufficient. How can we be self-sufficient if we are dependent on imports virtually on our defence list, which actually take a minimum of one year to arrive when that contract is awarded?

“So, the solution is for us to be able to produce all or most of our defence list. And that’s why the military industrial companies are working.

“And if Nigeria gets its own military defence industrial companies regular rights, you’ll find that we can supply most of this defence equipment to our friendly neighbouring Sahel and other parts of African countries,” he said.

According to Mainasara, if there is no peace, there can’t be any meaningful development.

He added, “If we have the facilities and the equipment to fight or to suppress terrorism absolutely, then there will be development, not only in Nigeria but in the whole of the Sahel region and other parts of Africa.

“China has been very cooperative in supplying us, because I know in the past, they were able to establish the 7.62mm by 39 ammunition production line in Daikon.”

Earlier, Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau Muhammed (rtd), said that the 2035 Vision for China-Africa Cooperation offers a bold and structured framework for building a more equitable and resilient future.

He said, “But as the theme reminds us, the real challenge lies in implementation. This is where institutions like ours—research centres, think tanks, academic bodies, and policy hubs—must step forward to support decision-makers.” (Daily Trust)