Local arms manufacturers under the umbrella of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) have intensified calls for the full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria(DICON) Act 2023, warning that delays in operationalising the law could slow Nigeria’s push toward self-reliance in defence production amid worsening security challenges.
The demand formed the centrepiece of discussions at the association’s general meeting held in Abuja, where stakeholders in Nigeria’s growing defence manufacturing sector argued that the country must urgently deepen indigenous military production to reduce heavy dependence on imported arms and equipment.
In a communiqué signed by the association’s General Secretary, Engr. Kola Balogun, DIAN said effective implementation of the DICON Act would accelerate local manufacturing, encourage technology transfer and create jobs within Nigeria’s industrial sector.
“To fast-track self-reliance in defence production through enhanced indigenous capacity, innovation and industrial collaboration, the full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act 2023 is central to achieving this objective,” the communiqué stated.
“The Act provides a framework for local manufacturing, technology transfer, reduced import dependence, foreign exchange conservation and job creation.”
The renewed push comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, oil theft in the Niger Delta and rising kidnapping cases across several parts of the country.
Security analysts have repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s dependence on foreign military hardware exposes the country to supply delays, foreign exchange pressures and diplomatic bottlenecks during critical security operations.
The DICON Act 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was designed to reposition Nigeria’s defence manufacturing sector by expanding the powers of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria beyond the production of small arms and ammunition.
Under the new legal framework, DICON is empowered to engage in the manufacturing, storage, distribution and maintenance of a broader range of military hardware through partnerships involving local and foreign investors.
Government officials have previously described the law as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, conserve foreign exchange and develop a sustainable military industrial base capable of supporting Nigeria’s armed forces.
At the Abuja meeting, DIAN also raised concerns about what it described as weak coordination within Nigeria’s defence industrial ecosystem, warning that poor institutional alignment could frustrate the objectives of the new law.
The association said it was already developing a coordinated strategy to deepen collaboration among manufacturers, policymakers and security agencies to support local production and improve procurement systems.
According to the group, stronger cooperation within the sector would attract investment, strengthen supply chains and encourage innovation among indigenous defence companies.
DIAN disclosed that more than 18 new members had recently joined the association, a development it said reflected increasing investor confidence in Nigeria’s defence manufacturing industry.
Industry experts say the emergence of more local manufacturers could help Nigeria gradually reduce billions of naira spent annually on imported military hardware, particularly at a time when the country is facing mounting fiscal pressure and currency volatility.
As part of efforts to reposition the association, DIAN announced the dissolution of its pioneer executives and trustees ahead of fresh elections scheduled for July 2026.
The association also formally adopted its constitution to guide internal operations and strengthen transparency and accountability within the organisation.
Attention is also shifting toward the African International Defence Exhibition slated for Lagos between October 26 and October 29, 2026, which DIAN described as an important platform for showcasing Nigeria’s expanding defence manufacturing capacity to global investors and industry players.
The association urged members to actively participate in the exhibition, noting that strategic partnerships and technology-sharing agreements would be critical to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s defence sector.
DIAN reaffirmed its commitment to building what it described as “a resilient and globally competitive military industrial complex” capable of creating jobs, stimulating industrial growth and strengthening national security.
With pressure mounting on the government to localise more aspects of military procurement, analysts say the pace of DICON Act implementation may determine how quickly Nigeria can transition from a major importer of defence equipment to a more self-sufficient military manufacturing nation.
