The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide financial backing for verified indigenous drone manufacturers to boost Nigeria’s security operations and defence capabilities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Ademorin Kuye (APC-Lagos) during Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.
Lawmakers specifically identified companies including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Pro-force and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) as deserving of structured government support.
The House also urged the Federal Government to deploy financing platforms such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and other relevant institutions to help local manufacturers expand production and meet military procurement requirements.
Presenting the motion, Kuye noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and vandalism, all of which have placed increasing pressure on the nation’s security agencies.
He explained that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), popularly known as drones, have become vital tools for surveillance, intelligence gathering, counter-insurgency and modern military operations across the world.
According to him, terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have already begun deploying commercial drones in attacks against Nigerian troops.
Kuye acknowledged Nigeria’s early achievements in drone technology, citing the development of the Tsaigumi UAV by the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2018. However, he argued that the country’s drone manufacturing industry remains dominated by private operators with limited funding and inadequate government support.
He attributed the slow growth of the sector to the absence of strong technology transfer policies, legislative incentives and dedicated defence industrial hubs.
To address the challenge, the House directed its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Science and Technology, as well as Industry and Commerce, to develop a National Drone Industrialisation Policy (NDIP).
The proposed policy is expected to provide a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s drone industry from a largely entrepreneurial venture into a well-structured, government-supported strategic sector.
The committees were also tasked with working alongside relevant agencies to negotiate technology transfer agreements with reputable international drone manufacturers, promote the training of Nigerian engineers, encourage local production and reduce dependence on imported components.
In addition, the lawmakers directed the Committees on Defence, Industry and Commerce to collaborate with relevant agencies in establishing specialised Defence Industrial Zones for drone manufacturing, research and maintenance, supported by fiscal incentives, infrastructure and favourable regulations to attract domestic and foreign investment.
The House further instructed the committees to review existing laws on defence procurement, aviation, local content and investment incentives with the aim of introducing legislation that would support drone industrialisation, including tax reliefs and stronger protection for intellectual property developed by Nigerian engineers.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu directed the committees to submit their report within four weeks for further legislative consideration.