The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting indigenous defence manufacturing companies, while calling for sustained product quality and strict integrity checks, especially for items meant for export.
Pheelangwa made this known on Wednesday during a familiarisation visit to Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPRIL) in Ogun State.
He commended the company for its contributions to Nigeria’s security architecture and urged it to continue producing durable and reliable equipment for military formations in Nigeria and across Africa.
The Permanent Secretary said the ministry has continued to demonstrate strong commitment to supporting EPRIL’s operations, particularly in facilitating the issuance of end-user certificates and securing tax exemptions from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service to ease the importation of raw materials. 
He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between the ministry and the company, noting that continuous integrity checks and high product standards would enhance client confidence and patronage, especially for equipment supplied outside Nigeria.
Responding, the Managing Director of EPRIL, Mr. Kola Balogun, expressed appreciation for the visit and the support received from the ministry, pledging continued collaboration in the company’s operations.
EPRIL is an indigenous defence firm that produces military operational tools and security equipment and is a key supplier to the Nigerian military and international clients.
In a similar visit to Proforce Group Limited, also in Ogun State, Pheelangwa acknowledged the company’s growth into Nigeria’s first indigenous defence contractor specialising in the design and manufacture of armoured vehicles and security systems for land and naval applications.
He commended Proforce for its role in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and urged the company to sustain the production of durable equipment to support military operations within Nigeria and across the continent.
The Permanent Secretary again reiterated the ministry’s support through facilitation of end-user certification and tax exemptions for raw material imports, while calling for continued collaboration.
The Managing Director of Proforce, Engr. Ade Ogundeyin, thanked the ministry for the recognition and pledged ongoing cooperation in all areas of operation.
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