Chief Of Army Staff Advocates Youth Empowerment, Indigenous Defence Production For National Security

Chief Of Army Staff Advocates Youth Empowerment, Indigenous Defence Production For National Security

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on the private sector to invest in the intelligence, creativity and productive capacity of Nigerian youths as a strategic pathway to strengthening national security, accelerating economic growth and advancing indigenous defence manufacturing.

The COAS made the call on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, during a visit to Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL) in Ogun State. He emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population constitutes a critical national asset whose potential, when harnessed through targeted investment, mentorship and skills development, can generate innovative solutions to the country’s security challenges while creating employment opportunities and strengthening national resilience.

General Shaibu noted that developing indigenous technological capabilities is essential to reducing dependence on foreign imports and building a sustainable domestic defence industrial base capable of meeting the evolving operational requirements of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He stressed that strategic collaboration between the Nigerian Army, local defence manufacturers and the private sector would accelerate technology development, enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its national interests.

The COAS commended EPAIL for cultivating a highly skilled, youthful workforce dedicated to producing world-class protective equipment for the military and other security agencies. He noted that investments in local manufacturing and human capital development would not only strengthen troop protection and operational readiness but also stimulate industrial growth, promote technological innovation and contribute to long-term national security.

Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPAIL, Engineer Kola Balogun, commended the COAS for sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the country. He affirmed the company’s capacity to supply protective equipment to troops, highlighting the contributions of its young and innovative workforce in developing solutions tailored to the operational requirements of security agencies.

The visit highlights the Nigerian Army’s recognition of indigenous defence manufacturing and youth development as strategic pillars of a comprehensive national security framework, in which military capability, technological self-reliance, economic empowerment and public-private sector collaboration reinforce one another in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.