Nigeria is positioning itself to become a leading defence manufacturing hub in Africa as efforts intensify to strengthen indigenous production of military equipment and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G partnership (DICON-D7G), Osman Chennar, disclosed this while reflecting on Nigeria’s participation at the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow held in Egypt from September 8 to 10.
Chennar said the country is making significant progress in developing local defence production capabilities, a move he described as critical to enhancing national security and supporting the broader African defence market.
According to him, the DICON-D7G partnership is focused on establishing sustainable local manufacturing systems capable of producing a range of military hardware and equipment required by the armed forces.
He noted that Nigeria’s participation in major international defence exhibitions forms part of efforts to showcase the country’s growing industrial capabilities and attract strategic partnerships. Before the Egypt exhibition, the partnership had also participated in defence showcases in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Türkiye.
Chennar explained that strengthening local production would reduce dependence on imported defence equipment while creating opportunities for technology transfer, skills development and industrial growth within Nigeria.
As part of ongoing expansion plans, he revealed that arrangements are at an advanced stage for the development of a military jetty in Lagos. The facility is expected to support logistics operations and enhance the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders have increasingly advocated greater investment in domestic defence production, arguing that local manufacturing improves supply chain security and reduces vulnerability to external disruptions.
Nigeria’s push for self-reliance in defence production comes amid growing security challenges across parts of the continent and increasing calls for African countries to develop stronger indigenous military-industrial capacities.
Chennar expressed confidence that ongoing investments and strategic partnerships would position Nigeria as a major player in defence manufacturing, not only within West Africa but across the continent.
