The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide structured financial support to credible Nigerian drone manufacturing companies as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security capabilities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Ademorin Kuye of the All Progressives Congress, APC, representing Lagos, during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.
Lawmakers identified Nigerian companies and institutions including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Pro-Force and the Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT, as potential beneficiaries of increased government support.
The House urged the government to deploy appropriate financing mechanisms through institutions such as the Bank of Industry, BoI, and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON.
According to the lawmakers, such funding would help indigenous drone manufacturers expand production and develop the capacity required to meet military procurement and operational standards.
Presenting the motion, Kuye said Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and attacks on critical infrastructure.
He noted that the threats have placed increasing pressure on the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies responsible for protecting lives and property.
Kuye said unmanned aerial vehicles, widely known as drones, have become vital to modern military operations, intelligence gathering, surveillance and counter-insurgency efforts around the world.
The lawmaker also raised concerns that armed non-state groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have reportedly adopted commercial drone technology in operations involving Nigerian troops.
He recalled Nigeria’s earlier progress in domestic drone development, including the unveiling of the Tsaigumi unmanned aerial vehicle developed by AFIT in 2018.
However, Kuye said the country’s indigenous drone manufacturing industry remains largely dependent on private investment and lacks sufficient access to structured government funding and policy support.
He identified limited technology transfer arrangements, inadequate legislative incentives and the absence of dedicated defence industrial zones as major obstacles preventing the sector from achieving greater scale and strategic relevance.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Science and Technology, as well as Industry and Commerce, to develop a National Drone Industrialisation Policy.
The proposed policy is expected to provide a clear framework for transforming Nigeria’s emerging drone manufacturing industry into a more organised and government-supported strategic sector.
The committees were also directed to work with relevant government agencies to establish technology transfer agreements with reputable international drone manufacturers.
Under the proposed framework, Nigerian engineers would receive specialised training while domestic production capacity would be expanded to reduce dependence on imported drone components over time.
The House further directed its Committees on Defence, Industry and Commerce to collaborate with relevant agencies on the creation of designated Defence Industrial Zones.
The proposed zones would support drone manufacturing, research, development and maintenance while offering the infrastructure required to attract local and foreign investment.
Lawmakers also recommended the introduction of fiscal incentives and appropriate regulatory frameworks to encourage investment and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s defence technology industry.
The House called for a review of existing laws covering defence procurement, local content requirements, aviation regulation and investment incentives.
According to the resolution, new or amended legislation should create a more favourable environment for indigenous drone manufacturing while protecting intellectual property developed by Nigerian engineers.
The proposed measures are also expected to include tax exemptions and other incentives designed to support companies investing in local defence technology production.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, directed the relevant committees to submit their reports within four weeks for further legislative consideration.
The proposed reforms are aimed at expanding Nigeria’s domestic drone production capabilities while improving the technological resources available to the military and other security agencies.
