FG Speaks On Hiring Foreign Mercenaries To Tackle Insecurity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its opposition to using foreign mercenaries as a solution to the country’s security challenges, arguing that such an approach is unsustainable.

Instead, the government is prioritizing partnerships to localize military equipment production, particularly through collaboration with China, to reduce reliance on imports and associated delays.

Naija News reports that this position was highlighted on Thursday during a joint press conference at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, featuring Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

The briefing coincided with Wang Yi’s official visit to Nigeria to enhance bilateral relations.

The visit reflects the strengthening ties between Nigeria and China, as both nations reaffirmed their commitment to addressing regional security issues and fostering economic development through strategic collaboration.

During the press briefing, Ambassador Tuggar underscored that private military companies, regardless of origin, are not a viable solution to Nigeria’s security problems.

He emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in addressing regional peace and security concerns, advocating for collaborative efforts within Africa.

“We are looking to work with partners like China to localize the production of military hardware. This will eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure we are self-sufficient in addressing our security needs,” Tuggar said, stressing the importance of developing both kinetic and non-kinetic military equipment domestically.

Wang Yi’s visit builds on President Bola Tinubu’s earlier state visit to China in 2024, which laid the groundwork for expanded cooperation in economic and political spheres. Key discussions included agreements on energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and petrochemical development.

The Chinese Foreign Minister praised Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and welcomed the country’s plans to issue panda bonds under the bilateral currency swap agreement. Initially signed in 2018 between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the People’s Bank of China, the agreement is valued at CN¥15 billion.

Wang Yi also invited Nigeria to explore opportunities to issue Panda bonds—renminbi-denominated bonds in China’s domestic market—highlighting their potential to generate revenue for critical infrastructure projects, such as railway modernization.