Lawmakers push for comprehensive drone regulations to enhance domestic defence manufacturing and combat rising insecurity

The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a National Drone Industrialisation Policy to bolster Nigeria's defence manufacturing capacity and enhance its response to security challenges, during a session on Wednesday.

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This move is aimed at strengthening the country's defence manufacturing sector, with the lawmakers also urging the Federal Government to provide financial support to local drone manufacturers, including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Elites Group, Pro-force, and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).

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The financial support, to be provided through the Bank of Industry, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and other financing platforms, would enable local manufacturers to increase production and meet military procurement standards.

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The resolution was adopted after a motion sponsored by Hon. Ademorin Kuye on the need for a strategic policy framework to develop Nigeria's drone industry was debated and adopted.

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Leading the debate, Kuye expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country, citing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and pipeline vandalism as challenges that have continued to strain the capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

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He noted that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become critical tools in modern warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and counter-insurgency operations, with terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), deploying commercial drones in attacks against Nigerian troops.

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However, Kuye highlighted that Nigeria has made progress in indigenous drone technology, citing the development of the Tsaigumi UAV by the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2018 as evidence of the country's growing capability.

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Kuye stated that Nigeria has the human capital, technological potential, and industrial base to become Africa's leading drone technology hub, provided it is supported by deliberate government policies, investment, and legislative reforms.

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The House is concerned that Nigeria, with its pool of engineering talent, 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, with structured government policy, capital, and legislative support.

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Kuye lamented that the country's drone manufacturing sector remains largely private-sector driven, with limited access to funding, inadequate government support, and weak technology transfer arrangements.

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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 aimed at transforming the sector into a structured and government-supported strategic industry.

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

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The House further mandated relevant committees to work with government agencies to establish dedicated Defence Industrial Zones for drone manufacturing, research, and maintenance, supported by incentives, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to attract investment.

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The lawmakers directed the Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Industry and Commerce, Air Force, and Science and Technology to review existing laws on defence procurement, local content, aviation, and investment incentives, which would pave the way for amendments that would encourage drone industrialisation through tax incentives and stronger protection of intellectual property developed by Nigerian engineers.

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The committees were given four weeks to submit their reports for further legislative action.