By Peter Omopo
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, has carried out a familiarisation visit to two indigenous defence manufacturing firms in Ogun State—Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPRIL) and Proforce Group Limited—reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local defence production.
During his visit to EPRIL, Pheelangwa commended the company for its contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture and urged it to sustain the production of durable, high-quality equipment for military formations within Nigeria and across Africa. He said the Ministry of Defence recognises EPRIL’s critical role in supporting military operations and remains committed to assisting the company in the execution of its projects and initiatives.
The Permanent Secretary noted that since assuming office, the ministry has facilitated processes enabling the company to obtain end-user certificates and tax exemptions from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service, in order to ease the importation of essential raw materials.
He stressed the importance of continued collaboration with the ministry, adding that integrity checks and consistent product quality would determine the level of patronage from both local and international clients.
In his response, the Managing Director of EPRIL, Mr Kola Balogun, expressed appreciation for the visit and the ministry’s support, pledging sustained collaboration in all aspects of the company’s operations. EPRIL is an indigenous defence firm specialising in the production of military operational tools and security equipment for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other international clients.
Pheelangwa also visited Proforce Group Limited, Nigeria’s first indigenous defence contractor known for the design and manufacture of armoured vehicles and security systems for land and naval applications. He acknowledged the company’s growth and its contributions to national security, urging it to continue producing durable defence solutions to support military operations in Nigeria and across the African region.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to facilitating end-user certification and tax exemptions to support the sourcing of raw materials for production.
The Managing Director of Proforce Group, Engr Ade Ogundeyin, welcomed the visit and thanked the ministry for its recognition, pledging continued cooperation to advance Nigeria’s defence industrial development.
