Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called on African nations to adopt a unified aerospace doctrine built on local capacity, regional cooperation, and strong political will to effectively counter the continent’s growing security threats.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th Africa Air Forces Forum in Lagos, Governor Uzodimma emphasised that Africa must now take full ownership of its defence and aerospace architecture to safeguard its sovereignty and development.
The two-day forum, themed “Strengthening Collaboration in Advanced Aerospace Technologies for Enhanced National and Regional Security,” brought together senior military leaders, aerospace experts, defence manufacturers, and policy stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
“Africa is at a pivotal moment,” Uzodimma said in his keynote address. “Terrorism, cyber incursions, cross-border banditry, and resource conflicts are no longer limited by geography or time. Our strategies must evolve with the complexity of these threats and be united in purpose.”
He highlighted the strategic importance of airpower, stating that it now represents not just a defensive capability but a symbol of sovereignty, speed, deterrence, and intelligence superiority. “Air superiority is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity,” he declared.
While countries like Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria possess sizable air fleets—Egypt with over 1,000 aircraft, Algeria with more than 600, and Nigeria with 163- Uzodimma cautioned that numbers alone are insufficient. He stressed the need for smarter, integrated airpower aligned with a continental security architecture.
The governor also warned against Africa’s continued dependence on foreign suppliers for critical aerospace and defence systems, noting that such reliance exposes the continent to economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, he acknowledged growing progress in local innovation and indigenous aerospace development.
“The future of African defence lies not just in partnerships abroad, but in the strength of our unity, innovation, and resolve here at home,” Uzodimma concluded.
“Across Africa, signs of transformation are emerging. Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation is producing small arms, while companies like Proforce are manufacturing Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that are already deployed in Chad, Niger, and Rwanda,” he noted.
He celebrated the continent’s remarkable progress in drone technology, revealing that at least 35 indigenous drone models are either under development or in service across Africa.
Read Also: Uzodimma to speak at African Air Forces Forum
“Nigeria leads this innovation with 28 drone systems currently operational or undergoing trials. This is a powerful signal, we are not passive consumers of defence technology. We are becoming the architects of our own solutions.”
Uzodimma also commended South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria for their strides in aerospace manufacturing and export, highlighting that Morocco now manufactures for Airbus and other global aerospace giants, while South Africa has doubled its defence exports since 2020.
He emphasized that successful initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a joint military effort among Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger to fight Boko Haram, prove that collaboration yields tangible results.
“We’ve seen real gains: terrorist strongholds neutralised, communities restored, and displaced persons resettled. But there are still gaps in intelligence sharing, operational interoperability, and logistics. These gaps must be closed, not through theory but through mechanisms we design and execute together.”
He urged African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to actionable frameworks. “We must translate our shared aspirations into binding instruments, mutual defence agreements, co-development pacts, pooled logistics, shared research infrastructure, and joint training protocols. These are not luxuries, they are instruments of our survival.”
He stressed that current increases in defence budgets, $25 billion in Algeria, $13.4 billion in Morocco, and $3.1 billion in Nigeria, must be strategically aligned with long-term goals like technology transfer, innovation, and skills development.
“South Africa and Morocco have shown how aerospace development fuels economic growth. We must replicate and scale these models,” he said.
The governor praised the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar for adopting a self-reliant approach that has redefined the possibilities for African-led defence innovation.
“The reactivation of long-abandoned aircraft, deployment of locally developed UAVs like the Tsaigumi, and integration of academic research into mission planning show a refreshing commitment to innovation. I commend the Chief of Air Staff for this paradigm shift,” Uzodimma said.
He called for the institutionalisation of an African Aerospace Doctrine, one governed by local capacity, shared operational standards, and sustained political commitment. “The African Union and our regional blocs have already laid the foundation. What is left is the courage to act, the will to fund, and the discipline to implement.”
Governor Uzodimma concluded his address with a strong call to action: “African skies must not remain exposed and unprotected. The solutions we seek are within us. The time to act is now.”
The Africa Air Forces Forum continues with panel discussions on cross-border security integration, drone warfare, and regional aerospace infrastructure development, aiming to shape a new era of air power on the continent.
