Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, remained actively engaged throughout 2025 in advancing national security through strategic leadership, defence diplomacy, institutional reforms and close oversight of security operations.
The year began with a strong focus on personnel welfare, professionalism and military traditions. In January, Matawalle oversaw promotion ceremonies within the Nigerian Navy and Police, attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day prayers at the National Mosque, presented the Ministry of Defence’s 2025 budget to the National Assembly, and held high-level meetings with foreign defence firms. He also participated in key defence governance activities, including engagements with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
From February to April, the minister intensified international and regional defence cooperation. He engaged the Turkish Ambassador, hosted ECOWAS defence chiefs, inspected locally manufactured armoured vehicles by Proforce, and received senior officials of China’s NORINCO.
In April, he led Nigeria’s delegation to the Latin America Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Brazil, met with Brazilian naval chiefs, and later received delegations from Bosnia, the United States and private defence partners, while also visiting Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri.
Between May and July, Matawalle focused on strengthening military capacity and domestic defence production. He chaired DICON board meetings, represented President Bola Tinubu at naval graduation ceremonies, commissioned vessels, helicopters and unmanned surveillance systems, launched special forces insignia, inaugurated locally produced combat vehicles, and held engagements with US AFRICOM, private defence firms and international partners in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
In the later months, the minister responded to emerging security challenges while consolidating defence partnerships. He led engagements with India, Africa’s defence chiefs, and US military medical teams, visited DICON after an industrial incident, presided over promotion ceremonies, and supported humanitarian and rescue efforts, including the release of abducted students in Kebbi State. He also oversaw preparations for a major international African defence exhibition.
The year concluded in December with sustained international outreach, including defence exhibitions and cooperation agreements in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Overall, 2025 marked a year of sustained leadership, defence diplomacy and institutional development, reflecting Dr Matawalle’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, defence self-reliance and international cooperation.