Local arms manufacturers ask FG to reduce dependence on foreign equipment
Local arms manufacturers under the umbrella of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN), on Friday, called on the Nigerian government to reduce dependence on imported military hardware. They specifically asked the government to activate full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 in order to accelerate indigenous defence production. The […]
Local arms manufacturers under the umbrella of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN), on Friday, called on the Nigerian government to reduce dependence on imported military hardware.
They specifically asked the government to activate full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 in order to accelerate indigenous defence production.
The demand was contained in a communiqué signed by the General Secretary of DIAN, Engr Kola Balogun, and issued at the end of the Association’s General Meeting.
DIAN said the strategy was aimed at fast-tracking self-reliance in defence production through enhanced indigenous capacity, innovation, and industrial collaboration.
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According to the association, full implementation of the DICON Act 2023 is central to achieving the objective, adding that the Act provides a framework for local manufacturing, technology transfer, reduced import dependence, foreign exchange conservation, and job creation.
It disclosed that more than 18 new members had been admitted, signalling growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s defence industrial space.
The association explained that it was also developing a coordinated strategy to deepen synergy among stakeholders and advise government on policies to cut reliance on imported military hardware.
“The initiative would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity,” the association said.
It, however, flagged weak coordination within the defence industrial ecosystem as a major bottleneck and called for stronger institutional alignment and policy execution.