By Saminu Ibrahim
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has sought stronger defence industrial cooperation between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, particularly in ammunition production and technology transfer.
Matawalle made the call during a three-day official working visit to the Czech Republic, where he led a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The minister attended the Czech Air Force Day/Air Show and Defence Exhibition in Ostrava, where modern defence equipment manufactured by the Czech defence industry was showcased.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Matawalle held a bilateral meeting with the Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Jaromír Zuna (Rtd).
Discussions focused on strengthening the existing strategic partnership between both countries and expanding cooperation to enhance DICON’s capacity for the local production of military hardware.
Matawalle specifically called for Czech support in establishing an ammunition production line in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
The two ministers also discussed technology transfer, particularly in the areas of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other military hardware.
Responding, Zuna expressed delight at Matawalle’s visit and assured him of the Czech Republic’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in strengthening DICON’s defence production capabilities.
He also expressed the Czech Republic’s willingness to support Nigeria with the requisite technology transfer.
As part of the visit, Matawalle is scheduled to tour several defence and security industrial complexes across the Czech Republic to explore further opportunities for industrial cooperation.
