The Nigerian government and other key stakeholders in the security sector of the country have been urged to support the growth of the indigenous defence industry to boost the nation’s economy and spur development.
The call comes as national security challenges rise and foreign exchange pressures mount as a result of imports of arms that could be reduced if adequate support were given to local manufacturers.
Experts as well as local manufacturers are advocating for a more sustainable, homegrown approach to Nigeria’s defence needs—one that enhances national sovereignty, generates jobs, and promotes innovation through local content.
“We need the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, Civil Defence, Immigration and Customs service, etc, to believe in Nigerian solutions,” said Bem Garba, the managing director of DICON GRAY INSIGNIA.
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“Our products are designed to meet and exceed global standards. We need structured access to the Nigerian market, support in testing and certification, and a clear signal from leadership that Nigeria is ready to bet on its own manufacturers.”
In November 2023, President Bola Tinubu assented to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) bill, a key move to establish legal frameworks for local defence manufacturers to produce hardware security equipment and reduce over-reliance on foreign arms supplies.
But more must be done to strengthen indigenous defence industries in order to produce products that can compete globally and potentially becoming net exporter of arms in the long term.
To achieve this feat, industry experts urge the Nigerian government to adopt the Conditional Procurement Order (CPO) model—an innovative procurement mechanism that enables government agencies to commit to purchasing local defence products that meet international performance standards.
Under this model, manufacturers who develop certified firearms, tactical gear, surveillance tools, or mobility platforms can gain direct access to government contracts whilst their products undergo rigorous testing and evaluation.
“The time has come for Nigeria to deliberately invest in its defence manufacturing sector,” said a spokesperson for DICON Gray Insignia (DGI), a Nigerian-led defence contractor.
“With the right policies, procurement models, and stakeholder alignment, we can reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while cultivating a world-class defense industry right here in Nigeria.”
Beyond procurement, industry leaders are also calling for the creation of a supportive ecosystem that includes: accredited testing and certification facilities to monitor development phases and validate product performance and safety to international standards benchmarks; export promotion programs to position Nigerian-made defense products in regional and international markets.
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Others are tax incentives and regulatory support to lower operational barriers for new and existing manufacturers; public-private innovation funds to support defence technology research, development, and commercialization and defence industrial clusters & free zones to provide shared infrastructure, reduce costs, and boost collaboration.
Experts emphasize that state governments—especially in high-risk or insurgency-prone regions—must also take a more active role by sourcing equipment from vetted local manufacturers.
As states already allocate significant portions of their budgets to security, this approach guarantees faster delivery times, reduced costs, and economic benefits within the region.
Agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are also seen as ideal launch customers for domestically manufactured tactical gear, protective equipment, non-lethal weapons, and surveillance systems.
Stakeholders also recommend creating a transparent procurement portal where Nigerian defense manufacturers can view open tenders, submit bids, and receive feedback based on standardized performance criteria.
They argue that this transparency will build trust, encourage competition, and eliminate the political barriers that have long stifled indigenous defence innovation.
With proper alignment among government policy, private sector capacity, and institutional will, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a regional hub for defence manufacturing in West Africa.
“The development of Nigeria’s defence industrial base is not just a matter of security—it is a strategic economic opportunity. With coordinated action, Nigeria can build a resilient, globally competitive defence industry that secures its borders and its future.”
