Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — In a strategic shift aimed at enhancing national security, technological self‑reliance and industrial growth, Nigeria is accelerating its transition from foreign dependence to locally driven defence manufacturing. This long‑term initiative — backed by government policy, new legislation and public‑private partnerships — is reshaping the country’s defence architecture and contributing to broader economic development.
At the heart of this transformation is the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the nation’s primary defence production agency, which has expanded its role from a traditional ordnance factory into a core component of Nigeria’s evolving Military Industrial Complex (MIC). The DICON Act 2023, signed into law under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, provides comprehensive legal empowerment for the agency to operate, maintain and control subsidiaries and ordnance facilities for the manufacture, storage and disposal of defence materials. It also establishes the Defence Industry Technology, Research and Development Institute (DITRDI) to foster scientific innovation and commercialisation of defence technologies.
Local production efforts are already underway across multiple fronts. DICON has reported manufacturing small arms, ammunition and vehicles at its Kaduna facility, while indigenous firms such as E‑PAIL Nigeria Ltd and Proforce Nigeria Limited are producing armoured vehicles, Mine‑Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) units, tactical systems and personal protective gear. These locally built assets are enhancing the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces, reducing reliance on expensive foreign imports and increasing the resilience of supply chains critical to security operations.
Partnerships between government and the private sector are expanding technological capacity and modernising production methods. In a notable development, DICON and RusselSmith Nigeria Ltd signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage additive manufacturing (3D printing) for defence production — enabling rapid fabrication of high‑performance components, tools and assemblies critical to military systems. This alliance supports the implementation of the DICON Act and empowers Nigeria to develop advanced materials and parts that meet stringent defence and aerospace standards.
Federal leadership has emphasised that transforming Nigeria into a producer of defence hardware is central to national security strategy. Officials from the Ministry of Defence have affirmed commitments to move away from foreign dependency by prioritising local production of combat vehicles, arms, ammunition and support systems. Ongoing engagements with strategic partners, including the Ministry of Steel Development and Ajaokuta Steel Company, aim to repurpose national industrial assets to supply raw materials such as steel for defence manufacturing, bridging a critical supply gap.
Nigeria’s defence industrialisation agenda also includes initiatives to bolster exports and regional cooperation. Government statements ahead of the upcoming African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 highlight efforts to showcase domestic defence capabilities, attract foreign investment, promote technology transfer and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a hub for military innovation in Africa.
Beyond security benefits, the growth of a domestic defence industry has broad economic implications. Local manufacturing supports job creation, enhances technical skills, and stimulates ancillary sectors such as metallurgy, research and development, engineering and supply chain logistics. By reducing foreign exchange outflows tied to defence imports, Nigeria can reinvest in internal capacity building — a move analysts say is essential for both economic sovereignty and long‑term stability.
Experts also note that a strong defence industrial base bolsters Nigeria’s overall industrial ecosystem, encouraging innovation and domestic participation in high‑technology sectors. Research collaborations between military institutions, universities and private firms are driving new solutions tailored to the nation’s security needs while expanding opportunities for export and regional defence alliances.
Nigeria’s journey toward defence self‑reliance reflects a nuanced understanding that security and industrial development are deeply interconnected. By building local capacity to design, manufacture and sustain its own defence equipment, Nigeria is not only addressing immediate operational challenges but also laying the foundation for a resilient and strategic defence industrial complex capable of supporting national security, economic diversification and technological advancement well into the future.
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