Nigerians in Diaspora Group Praises Nigeria–India Defence Partnership as Boost to National Security
As a strategic effort to address the nation’s security issues, the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has praised the bolstering of defense ties between Nigeria and India.
The group said the reinvigorated bilateral engagement, which includes investment in the defense sector, research and development, marine cooperation, and counter-terrorism training, is an indication of a forward-thinking administration dedicated to long-term security reforms.
The four-day working visit by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to India from August 11 to 14, 2025, signifies a new chapter in Nigeria’s foreign defense cooperation, according to a statement issued by NDMG and signed by its President, Prince Maduka Ezeagu.
The group praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for adopting a strong, practical foreign defense strategy that prioritizes indigenous production, technology transfer, and capacity-building as key components of national security.
The group claims that the meeting between Dr. Matawalle and Shri Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri of India, has created vital opportunities for Nigeria to take use of India’s demonstrated military capabilities, which range from the manufacture of Light Combat Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft to Offshore Patrol Vessels.
“This partnership is a practical step towards closing the gap in our national security architecture; it is not just diplomacy for show,” Ezeagu stated.
Nigeria needs foreign partners that are prepared to share technology, provide cutting-edge training, and invest in our defense sector because instability is endangering the stability of both urban and rural areas. All those criteria are met by the India-Nigeria talks, which also demonstrate how committed the Tinubu administration is to providing long-term security solutions.
He pointed out that India’s defense sector is a perfect fit for Nigeria’s operational environment since it has a history of producing high-quality, reasonably priced equipment that can be used in a variety of terrains.
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Ezeagu noted that this collaboration could expedite Nigeria’s defense technology self-reliance over the next ten years, given the Federal Government’s emphasis on revitalizing domestic defense production.
The NDMG also praised Dr. Matawalle’s appeal to Indian defense firms to invest in Nigeria, stating that such projects will increase industrial growth, create jobs, and improve technical skills in addition to strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
The fact that Nigeria is reorienting its military policy to counter asymmetric threats like terrorism, banditry, and piracy makes this development even more significant. Nigeria stands to benefit greatly from working with a country like India, which has decades of experience in marine security, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping missions,” he said.
The group also emphasized the need of cooperative research and development in the discussions, pointing out that these partnerships will guarantee Nigeria is not only a user of foreign military hardware but also a creator of it. They said that this was in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a high priority on modernizing the armed forces and fortifying the institutions in charge of maintaining national security.
Ezeagu praised President Tinubu for providing the Defense Ministry with the operational flexibility and political support to pursue high-value international engagements, emphasizing that Nigerians living abroad are closely monitoring the government’s alignment of foreign partnerships with domestic reforms.
“From the standpoint of Nigerians living overseas, this is precisely the type of results-driven diplomacy we anticipate—where state visits result in real advantages for citizens and noticeable advancements in addressing security issues,” he stated.
“We implore the government to make sure that the implementation of these agreements is prompt, open, and quantifiable in terms of its practical effects.”
In order to guarantee that deadlines and deliverables are fulfilled, the NDMG advised the Ministry of Defense to form a cooperative monitoring mechanism with its Indian counterpart.
In order to guarantee that knowledge transfer is ingrained at every level, they also urged concerted efforts to include Nigerian institutions, research facilities, and regional firms in the partnership’s R&D component.
Ezeagu concluded by restating the group’s support for the defense policies of the Tinubu administration and expressing confidence that the Nigeria-India defense partnership will significantly contribute to restoring peace, deterring threats, and laying the groundwork for a secure, economically vibrant nation if it is executed with discipline.
