The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a National Drone Industrialisation Policy to strengthen Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity, enhance local production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and improve the nation’s response to growing security challenges.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to provide financial backing for indigenous drone manufacturers, including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Pro-force, and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), through the Bank of Industry, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and other funding mechanisms.

According to the House, increased government support would enable local manufacturers to expand production capacity, improve innovation, and meet the procurement standards required by the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ademorin Kuye, who stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive policy framework to drive the growth of Nigeria’s drone industry and position the country as a regional leader in defence technology.

While presenting the motion, Kuye expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, citing terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and pipeline vandalism as persistent threats that continue to overstretch the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

He noted that unmanned aerial vehicles, popularly known as drones, have become indispensable tools for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and counter-insurgency operations worldwide. He also warned that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increasingly deployed commercial drones in attacks against Nigerian troops, making it imperative for the country to strengthen its indigenous drone capabilities.

Kuye, however, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in drone technology, pointing to the successful development of the Tsaigumi UAV by the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2018 as evidence of the country’s growing engineering and technological capacity.

He said Nigeria possesses the engineering talent, expanding technology ecosystem, military-industrial partnerships, and economic strength needed to emerge as Africa’s hub for drone technology if supported by deliberate government policies, adequate funding, and enabling legislation.

“The House is concerned that Nigeria, with a pool of engineering talent, a growing technology entrepreneurship ecosystem, existing military-industrial partnerships and the largest economy in Africa, possesses the foundational conditions to become the hub for drone technology, provided there is structured government policy, capital and legislative support,” Kuye said.

Despite these advantages, the lawmaker lamented that the country’s drone manufacturing industry remains largely dependent on private investment, with limited access to finance, inadequate government support, and weak technology transfer arrangements slowing its growth.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Defence; National Security and Intelligence; Science and Technology; and Industry and Commerce to develop a National Drone Industrialisation Policy that would transform the sector into a structured, government-backed strategic industry.

The lawmakers also directed the Committees on Defence and National Security and Intelligence to collaborate with the military and relevant agencies in pursuing technology transfer agreements with reputable international drone manufacturers to promote local production, reduce dependence on imported components, and build the capacity of Nigerian engineers.

The House further called for the establishment of dedicated Defence Industrial Zones for drone manufacturing, research, testing, and maintenance, supported by incentives, modern infrastructure, and a favourable regulatory environment to attract local and foreign investment.

Additionally, the Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Industry and Commerce, Air Force, and Science and Technology were tasked with reviewing existing laws on defence procurement, local content, aviation, and investment incentives to promote drone industrialisation through tax incentives, improved local content policies, and stronger protection for locally developed intellectual property.

The committees have been given four weeks to submit their reports to the House for further legislative consideration.