Nigeria’s defence and security stakeholders have called for the establishment of modern shooting range infrastructure across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, describing it as essential for improving operational readiness, training quality, and safety among military and law enforcement personnel.
The recommendation emerged from deliberations at a National and Regional Defence Shooting Range Development Workshop held in Abuja and convened by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in collaboration with DICON Gray Insignia Ltd.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop and signed by Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya on behalf of the defence industry body, participants agreed on the urgent need to standardise and expand shooting range facilities nationwide.
According to the communiqué, the workshop brought together representatives from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, security agencies, defence industry experts, policymakers, private sector partners, and technical consultants to deliberate on strategies for the development, modernisation, and standardisation of shooting ranges across the country.
Participants observed that limited access to live-fire training facilities remains a significant constraint, particularly for personnel deployed outside major military formations. The situation, they noted, reduces training frequency and affects marksmanship proficiency, safety standards, and overall operational effectiveness.
A concept note presented during the workshop highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that many military and law enforcement officers currently lack regular access to live-fire training facilities within their states of deployment.
To address the gap, stakeholders discussed a proposed framework known as the One State One Range Initiative (OSORI). The initiative seeks to ensure that each state has at least one functional shooting range accessible to military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and other authorised security institutions.
Under the proposed model, state governments would invest in either indoor or outdoor shooting range facilities, which would serve as shared training infrastructure for multiple agencies. These include the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Immigration Service.
Stakeholders also recommended the development of integrated regional shooting ranges designed to facilitate joint training among various security agencies. Such collaborative facilities, they said, would strengthen coordination among agencies and improve the effectiveness of joint operations.
In addition, participants emphasised the need for strict engineering standards, safety protocols, and environmental compliance in the construction and operation of shooting ranges. They also called for structured awareness programmes to deepen understanding of modern shooting range systems and their operational benefits.
According to the communiqué, implementing these recommendations would improve training quality, strengthen Nigeria’s national security readiness, and support the development of a more resilient and self-reliant defence industrial base.
