From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The President and Managing Director of EIB Group, Dr. Bright Echefu, has declared that Nigeria has the full capacity to end insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping, citing increased investments by local companies in advanced security technologies.
Speaking during a media tour and inspection of the company’s various projects in Abuja under the theme “Media Tour and Parley”, Dr. Echefu emphasized that indigenous innovation and manufacturing have positioned Nigeria to meet its own defense and surveillance needs.
“Nigeria has 100 per cent capacity to end insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping across the country,” Dr. Echefu said.
The tour, which included senior journalists and EIB Group management, showcased the company’s subsidiaries: EIB Stratoc, Bright FM, Luftreiber Automobile, Luft Pay TV, and Briech UAS. These entities are involved in manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), operating satellite television and radio platforms, and producing combat drones.
Dr. Echefu highlighted the group’s technological breakthroughs in satellite surveillance, noting their integration into homegrown decoder systems.
“EIB Group has showcased significant capabilities in satellite imagery, surveillance technology integrated into its satellite decoder systems,” he said, describing the development as “an innovative leap in military support systems and monitoring services across Nigeria.”
He also spoke about the positive economic impact of local production on the country’s defense sector:
“The country’s growing manufacturing sector has substantially reduced the need for foreign exchange by decreasing reliance on imports, including critical equipment like tractors and security devices,” he explained.
EIB Stratoc, he noted, is entirely Nigerian-owned and operated: “EIB Stratoc Company is wholly Nigerian-owned and staffed, employing over a thousand people, many of whom work directly in the field with Nigeria’s military personnel,” he said.
“This collaboration between local manufacturers and the military includes research partnerships and active patronage,” he added.
On the importance of this partnership, Dr. Echefu stated:“ The collaboration with the military is vital for sustaining growth in the defense industry.”
Reaffirming his commitment to local innovation, he added: “I want to reassure that I’m not just the only one that is into supporting the various sectors by local activities, local productions. There is a lot going on, people are producing even tractors in Nigeria now.”
Dr. Echefu was unequivocal about the nation’s readiness to overcome security challenges with homegrown solutions:
“Nigeria has capacity right now to end this urgency with the amount of local companies that are investing heavily,” he said.
He further praised the support the military offers to local defense firms:
“The Nigerian military strongly supports local manufacturers through research collaboration, protection, and patronage,” he said, adding, “This alliance is key to Nigeria’s evolving self-reliance in security needs.”
Despite these advances, he acknowledged the challenges of defense manufacturing:”Some of our major challenge remains: demand currently exceeds production capacity,” he noted, emphasizing the need to “scale up operations to meet the burgeoning market.”
Looking ahead, he revealed the company’s plans to further support national defense: “We have plans to even produce more aircraft to enhance the Nigerian Air Force’s ability to maintain and service its fleet domestically,” he said, pointing to the country’s “growing technical expertise in this area.
Dr. Echefu called on the federal government to continue and expand policies supporting local industries.
Leave a comment