The fight against insurgency, banditry, and other acts of terrorism in Nigeria and the West African corridor is one that has grown over the years to become a monster and a threat to the lives of all and sundry.
In a bid to find a lasting solution to the bloody act, one of the ways the Federal Government of Nigeria has looked into is a look inward and partnering with with its indigenous car manufacturers in manufacturing made-in-Nigeria armoured vehicles for its army.
The automotive business and production in Nigeria started far back in the 1950s with the assembly line of Bedford TJ trucks, made by the United Africa Company’s subsidiaries, Federal Motors Industries, and SCOA’s production of Peugeot 404 pickup trucks.
And in 1970, the federal government of Nigeria signed a partnership agreement with foreign car manufacturing companies to assemble vehicles and provide technical assistance towards the integration of the local industry.
Since then, the industry has continued to grow and develop in the production of vehicles with the emergence of indigenous manufacturers and assemblages of foreign vehicles in Nigeria. According to a report, roughly 720,000 cars are being sold in Nigeria every year, and 140,000 of them have been built domestically.
One of these indigenous automobile manufacturers is Proforce Ltd. A global brand that attracts millions of customers across the globe.
The Proforce Brand
Proforce Ltd. was incorporated in 2008, as a total defence solution provider that specialised in armoured vehicles and personal protection.
In 2018, the Nigerian Army, through its investment arm, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee (NAWLG), purchased 15% of the shares in Proforce Limited, the first indigenous automobile company specialising in the production of armoured vehicles as well as a wide range of defence solutions.
Located in Ishara, Lagos State, Nigeria, the defence solutions company has exploited its deep technical know-how to produce outstanding armoured products for government agencies, corporate bodies, diplomatic communities, and the private sector within Nigeria, Africa, and other European countries.
Using internationally certified Certified Ballistic Standard Materials (CEN Level B7/NIJ IV, CEN B6/NIJ III), Military Standards STANAG 4569 Level 2/2A/2B, and its superior craftsmanship,the company has been able to produce a wide range of protection vehicles like ; Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP), Armored Cash-in-Transit vehicle/ Bullion Vans, Armored boats, Armored SUVs, and other civilian armored vehicles. As well as Ballistic helmets and vests, and All defense products for the military and law enforcement agencies.
Proforce has recently exported Mine Resistant Armoured Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) and other products to other nations in Africa, like the Republic of Chad, Rwanda, Ghana, Niger, and many others.
And in June this year, 2022, Nigeria’s first and leading defence corporation, exhibited its PF ARA and PF Viper at the Eurosatory Exhibition event held in Paris and other international defence exhibitions in Africa and globally.
Proforce has, in a bid to improve the security architecture and artificial intelligence of defence in the country through technology and innovations, signed a Memorandum of Understanding With National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to launch Nigeria’s first private sector-driven satellite.
The company also recently signed an agreement with French firm AERACCESS to manufacture surveillance drones in Nigeria.
Meet The CEO, Proforce Ltd, Ade Ogundeyin
Engr. Ade Ogundeyin is an entrepreneur, administrator, and philanthropist who has various businesses. He is the group managing director of O’laKleen Holdings Limited, a conglomerate that oversees seven companies: O’laKleen Nigeria Limited, ProforceDefense Products Limited, OLK Construction, and Sun Metals. Others are Vaults and Gardens, Deto Shipyards, and WMO Gadgets.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and has worked as the Production Engineer with West African Portland Cement (Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc) before leaving to set up O’laKleen Nigeria Limited in 1986.
He has received several awards as a successful entrepreneur and administrator, such as the African Industrialist Award at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom in 2015 by the Africa International Business Forum.
Ogundeyin was appointed a member of the Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council by the Federal Government of Nigeria on May 30, 2017.
Other Indigenous Automobile Companies
Founded by Innocent Chwukwuma Nwala, Innoson operates from its headquarters located in Nnewi, Anambra State. 70 percent of the car parts used in this company are produced locally, while the rest 30 percent are sourced from Japan,China,and Germany.
Among IVM’s vehicle models are the five-seaters Fox (1.5-litre engine) and Umu (2-litre engine) as well as the minibus Uzo. And in May 2022, Innoson announced the manufacturing of three-wheel mmotors, known as “Keke.”
Founded by Oluwatobi Ajayi, Nord has two assembly plants in Lagos. The first is a 2,100 m2 factory in Sangotedo, where it currently assembles all eight models, and the second 5,400m2 plant in Epe is still under construction.
The company has the capacity to manufacture 100 vehicles a month, but with some investment, that number can be pushed up to 500. It currently manufactures its own plastic parts and is looking at eventually doing its steel pressing.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, in April 2022, took over Peugeot’s shares and the company name was changed to Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria (DPAN). Under the new management, DPAN will mainly assemble Chinese brands Chery and Higer, using pre-produced parts.120 cars per day will be produced in a new production line at the Greenfield Ultima Assembly Plant,Kaduna State.
Stallion Group is a conglomerate founded in 1969,with headquarters in Dubai. The group is one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, and has an extensive international presence in 18 countries, with 72 locations and more than 10,000 employees.
In 2014, Stallion rolled out the first Nissan vehicle made in Nigeria, the Nissan Patrol. Soon after, Stallion released the first made-in-Nigeria Hyundai passenger car. Stallion has also announced the assembly of Volkswagen-branded cars.
