MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
PRESS RELEASE
BADARU IN BEIJING FOR XIANGSHAN FORUM; HOLDS BILATERAL MEETING WITH CHINA ON DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, Democracy Newsline Newspaper
Thursday, 18th September 2025
Beijing, China – The Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has continued to advance Nigeria’s global defence partnerships with a high-level bilateral meeting held today with Air Chief Marshal Xu Xueqiang, Minister, Department of Equipment and Development, People’s Republic of China.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a premier international platform for defence and security dialogue, which draws participation from military leaders, defence ministers, security experts, and strategic stakeholders across the globe.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared commitment to deepening practical cooperation in defence technology, with a strong focus on technology transfer, indigenous military production, and broader defence-industrial collaboration between Nigeria and China.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting:
Both delegations agreed on the importance of:
Strengthening industrial partnerships between Nigerian and Chinese defence manufacturers to promote co-development and co-production;
Building technical and institutional capacity within Nigeria’s defence sector through tailored training programmes, expert exchanges, and infrastructure support;
Enhancing interoperability between the armed forces of both nations through joint training exercises, exchange programmes, and collaborative research and development (R&D);
Identifying feasible and sustainable technology transfer mechanisms, aligned with Nigerian legal frameworks and international obligations.
H.E. Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to transparent, strategic, and mutually beneficial defence cooperation, aimed not only at strengthening national defence capability but also at supporting economic growth and technological advancement domestically.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s focus is on securing realistic, actionable outcomes, urging the technical teams from both countries to commence feasibility studies and work on concrete programme proposals. Both sides agreed to mandate relevant agencies to pursue follow-up engagements and prepare draft frameworks for potential formal agreements.
Nigeria’s Engagement at the Xiangshan Forum
The Minister’s active participation in the Xiangshan Forum reflects Nigeria’s growing role in international defence diplomacy, and its dedication to collaborative approaches to regional and global security. Nigeria’s presence on this stage sends a strong message about its readiness to engage with trusted global partners in shaping a secure and stable world.
As the Forum continues, the Nigerian delegation is expected to participate in high-level panels and working groups focused on emerging threats, peacekeeping cooperation, cyber defence, and the role of technology in modern warfare.
Mati Ali
PA (Media & Publicity) to the Honourable Minister of Defence
