The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to implement a National Drone Industrialisation Policy aimed at strengthening Nigeria's defence manufacturing capacity and decreasing dependence on imported unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos) during plenary on Wednesday.
Security Threats Driving the Need for Local Drone Production
Presenting the motion, Mr Kuye highlighted that Nigeria continues to face persistent and evolving security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and pipeline vandalism. These challenges have placed sustained pressure on the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He emphasized that drones have become indispensable tools in modern warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and counter-insurgency operations. Notably, non-state armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are increasingly deploying commercial drones against Nigerian troops.
“Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become indispensable tools of modern warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and counterinsurgency operations globally, and non-state armed groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), are already deploying commercial drones against Nigerian troops,” he said.
Existing Indigenous Drone Capabilities
The lawmaker noted that Nigeria has taken important early steps towards developing indigenous capacity in drone manufacturing. He cited the development of the Tsaigumi UAV by the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 2018 as a significant achievement. However, he expressed concern that the country’s drone manufacturing ecosystem remains largely driven by private companies with limited access to capital and insufficient government support.
According to Mr Kuye, the absence of a structured national policy, a technology transfer framework, legislative incentives, and dedicated defence industrial zones has limited Nigerian drone manufacturers’ ability to scale their operations and develop sophisticated systems capable of meeting the requirements of the Armed Forces.
Nigeria’s Potential as a Drone Technology Hub
Mr Kuye argued that Nigeria possesses the necessary human and institutional resources to become a major hub for drone technology in Africa. He cited the country’s pool of engineering talent, growing technology entrepreneurship ecosystem, existing military-industrial partnerships, and status as Africa’s largest economy as key advantages that could support the development of a competitive domestic drone industry. He stressed that the country could only fully exploit these advantages through deliberate government policy, adequate capitalization, and legislative support.
The motion was adopted without debate. Following the adoption, the House urged the federal government to provide structured capital support to verified Nigerian drone manufacturing companies to enable them to expand their operations and meet military procurement standards. The companies listed in the resolution include Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Proforce, and AFIT.
Key Components of the Resolution
The lawmakers also called for the development and adoption of a National Drone Industrialisation Policy to provide a clear roadmap for transitioning Nigeria’s drone manufacturing sector from its current largely entrepreneurial stage to a structured, state-supported strategic industry. The House further mandated its Committees on Defence and National Security and Intelligence to work with the Nigerian military and relevant government agencies to identify and formalize technology transfer agreements with reputable international drone manufacturers.
Additionally, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, Industry and Commerce to work with relevant agencies to create and designate dedicated Defence Industrial Zones for drone manufacturing, research, and maintenance. It also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Industry, Commerce, and Science and Technology to undertake a legislative review of existing laws and regulatory frameworks governing drone manufacturing and related technologies. The review is expected to identify gaps that may be hindering the growth of the domestic drone industry and recommend legislative measures to support local production while maintaining appropriate national security safeguards.
Collaboration for a Sustainable Defence-Industrial Ecosystem
The resolution is expected to place greater emphasis on collaboration among the government, the military, local manufacturers, research institutions, and the private sector to build a sustainable defence-industrial ecosystem. This coordinated approach aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported UAVs and enhance the country’s ability to address its security challenges through domestically produced drone technology.
