Global conflicts hinder Nigeria's military equipment procurement, says Defence Minister
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa retd., stated that ongoing global conflicts involving Israel, Iran, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine are making it difficult for Nigeria and other nations to acquire military equipment needed to combat insecurity. Speaking at the Nigerian People鈥檚 Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, Musa emphasized the need for Nigeria to strengthen local defence production due to these disruptions. He also highlighted the absence of a comprehensive national database as a significant impediment to security agencies, particularly the police, in tracking criminals. The minister called on the National Assembly to support the creation of such a database, describing it as crucial for modern policing and national security. Musa commended indigenous defence manufacturers and urged greater government support for locally produced military equipment. He also stressed the importance of timely intelligence from citizens for effective crime fighting and warned against public indifference to criminal activities. Furthermore, Musa urged state governors to ensure federal allocations translate into grassroots development to address poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment, which he identified as major drivers of insecurity. He advocated for proper regulation of the Civilian Joint Task Force and other community-based security outfits, cautioning against arming unvetted groups. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benja
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Federal Government has successfully conducted the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination for admission into Federal and State Technical Colleges. During this exercise, the Federal Ministry of Education piloted a computer-based test CBT, coordinated by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board. The examination was held nationwide and conducted smoothly across various centers. Mrs. Patricia Ogungbemi, Director of Technology and Science Education, representing the Minister of Education, monitored the exercise and encouraged candidates to pursue technical and vocational education for self-reliance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment. She emphasized the opportunities for technical college graduates, including practical, industry-relevant skills and government initiatives for job creation. The pilot CBT session, conducted after the conventional examination, aimed to assess readiness for a future transition to a fully computer-based examination system, reflecting the Federal Government's commitment to digital transformation and quality technical education. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to digitalize entrance examinations in Nigeria, following similar reforms in other examination bodies.
Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh stated that Morocco could have beaten Brazil 3-1 if they had players similar to Nigeria's Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman in their squad. Oliseh shared this comment on his X handle after Morocco's 1-1 draw with Brazil in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match. He described Morocco's performance as impressive, highlighting their tactical balance in both attack and defense. Oliseh noted that Brazil's result flattered them, attributing the respectable scoreline to their star players like Vinicius Jr and Raphinha. Morocco secured a point against the five-time world champions in the match where Vinicius won the Superior Player of the Match award.
The air component of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 27 terrorists in separate air interdiction missions in Borno. An operational report from the Nigerian Air Force indicated that strikes were conducted following Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. On June 10, an air interdiction mission at Dawoshe, a known terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbus area, resulted in the destruction of vehicles and the neutralization of 12 terrorists. On the same day, a precision strike on terrorist positions at Metele in the Northern Tumbus area of Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno, confirmed 15 terrorists were neutralized. These operations are part of ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt logistics networks, and deny insurgents freedom of action across the North-East theatre. The Armed Forces of Nigeria are committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist strongholds.