Nigeria's Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has raised concerns that ongoing international conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran and the United States are affecting the global supply of military equipment, making it increasingly difficult for countries like Nigeria to obtain critical defence assets.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, the minister said the situation highlights the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing as the country continues efforts to address insecurity.

Musa made the remarks during the Nigerian People's Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 held in Abuja.

According to the defence minister, intense demand for military hardware from countries directly involved in major global conflicts has placed significant pressure on international supply chains. He noted that nations with stronger purchasing power often secure equipment ahead of others, creating challenges for countries seeking similar resources.

The minister argued that Nigeria must reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers by investing more heavily in local defence production and innovation.

He praised indigenous manufacturers and technology developers contributing to the country's defence sector and called for increased government support for locally produced military solutions.

Call for a National Security Database
Beyond military procurement challenges, Musa also identified the absence of a comprehensive national database as a major obstacle in the fight against crime and insecurity.

He urged lawmakers to support efforts aimed at creating an integrated database system capable of helping security agencies identify, track and investigate criminal activities more effectively.

The minister said law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, face significant difficulties in carrying out investigations without reliable identification and tracking systems.

Despite these challenges, he commended the police for their efforts, describing their achievements in crime detection and investigation as commendable under difficult operating conditions.

Security Requires Public Participation
Musa stressed that security agencies cannot succeed without timely intelligence from citizens and communities.

He warned against public indifference to criminal activities, citing cases involving the vandalism of public infrastructure such as roads, rail facilities and solar-powered street lights. According to him, many of these incidents could be prevented if residents reported suspicious activities promptly.

Addressing Root Causes of Insecurity
The defence minister also linked insecurity to broader socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.

He called on state governments to ensure that increased federal allocations translate into tangible improvements in living conditions and development at the grassroots level.

Musa further cautioned against the uncontrolled arming of community-based security groups, advocating stronger regulation and proper oversight of local security outfits.

Also speaking at the conference, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu reaffirmed the National Assembly's commitment to supporting security agencies through legislation, oversight and funding.

Kalu revealed that the State Police Bill recently passed the House of Representatives, describing it as a major step toward reforming Nigeria's security architecture.

He argued that the country's centralized policing model is increasingly stretched by the demands of a population exceeding 220 million people and called for broader stakeholder participation, including private sector involvement, in addressing emerging security threats.

The conference highlighted growing concerns about Nigeria's security challenges, with officials emphasizing the need for stronger local defence production, improved intelligence systems and structural reforms to enhance national security.

As debates over state policing and defence self-sufficiency continue, policymakers are expected to intensify discussions on long-term solutions.