The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has called for the full implementation of ongoing defence industry reforms to accelerate Nigeria’s push toward self-reliance in the production of military hardware.
The Secretary-General of DIAN, Mr Kola Balogun, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, stressing the need for Nigeria to develop indigenous weapons and equipment tailored to its unique security challenges.
Balogun said many of the country’s security threats were home-grown and could not be effectively addressed through imported solutions alone, noting that local production of both lethal and non-lethal equipment was critical to operational success.
He explained that the revised Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act, which opened the sector to private sector participation, had laid the foundation for the growth of the defence industry and led to the emergence of DIAN.
According to him, despite Nigeria’s credible defence production capacity, local manufacturers have continued to suffer from low patronage, limiting their ability to scale operations and deepen technology transfer.
Balogun said stakeholders in the sector were currently restructuring to address past inefficiencies and strengthen technical capabilities, adding that increased government support would help accelerate the industry’s growth.
He also emphasised the importance of interoperability and local servicing of defence platforms, warning that excessive reliance on foreign sources for spare parts and maintenance could undermine operational readiness.
The DIAN secretary-general noted that sustained funding, stronger collaboration among stakeholders and expanded regional engagement would position Nigeria as a reliable supplier of defence equipment within West Africa.
He expressed confidence that with consistent policy support, Nigeria’s defence industry could significantly reduce import dependence while contributing to national security and economic development.