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Federal Government Addresses Proposal to Employ Foreign Mercenaries for Security Challenges
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its opposition to the use of foreign mercenaries as a solution to the country’s security challenges, stating that such an approach is unsustainable. Instead, the government is focusing on strengthening local capabilities by partnering with countries like China to produce military equipment domestically, reducing reliance on imports and addressing delays....CONTINUE READING>>>
This position was emphasized during a joint press conference at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, which featured Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The briefing coincided with Wang Yi’s official visit to Nigeria, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
During the press briefing, Ambassador Tuggar stated that private military companies, regardless of their origin, are not a viable solution to Nigeria’s security issues. He highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and security, advocating for collaboration within Africa. “We aim to partner with nations like China to localize the production of military hardware, eliminating delays and ensuring self-sufficiency in addressing our security needs,” Tuggar said.
He also stressed the importance of developing both kinetic and non-kinetic military equipment within the country.
Wang Yi’s visit is part of a broader effort to deepen the cooperation between Nigeria and China. This visit builds on President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in 2024, which focused on expanding economic and political partnerships. Key areas of discussion included agreements on energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and petrochemical development.
Wang Yi commended Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and expressed support for the country’s plans to issue panda bonds, as part of the bilateral currency swap agreement signed in 2018 between Nigeria’s Central Bank and the People’s Bank of China. The agreement, valued at CNÂ¥15 billion, will enable Nigeria to explore opportunities to issue renminbi-denominated bonds in China’s domestic market, potentially generating revenue for critical infrastructure projects, such as railway modernization.
