Nigeria’s defence industry is set for a continental push as local manufacturers position to supply military hardware across Africa.
The move follows the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, where the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) said the country’s homegrown equipment proved competitive and attracted interest from regional partners.
According to the group, the summit, which brought together military chiefs and defence manufacturers across the continent, provided a unique platform for Nigerian companies to showcase their capabilities and forge regional partnerships.
Speaking with newsmen, Kola Balogun, DIAN’s Secretary-General, described the gathering as a turning point for local manufacturers who had long sought access to wider markets.
“The summit was a booster for the entire defence industry in Nigeria. With West African and African collaboration, we can now project our equipment to a wider market,” Balogun said.
He disclosed that several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), catalogue exchanges and follow-up discussions were already in motion, laying the groundwork for stronger cooperation among African defence industries.
According to him, Nigerian-made equipment compared favourably with foreign products in both quality and affordability, a factor that could help Africa reduce its dependence on imports from outside the continent.
“To our surprise, some of our equipment were even very competitive when placed side by side with foreign products. This is a big opportunity for Africa to depend on itself rather than always looking outside the continent,” he added.
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Balogun commended Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, for convening the summit, noting that it had placed the country in the limelight while showcasing its capacity in local defence manufacturing.
The DIAN scribe, however, stressed the importance of continuity in public-private partnership (PPP) agreements within the defence sector.
He warned that abrupt policy reversals due to political transitions could undermine investor confidence.
“Once a PPP is signed, huge investments and overheads are already committed. Successor governments must sustain such agreements to ensure continuity, confidence and sustainability in the defence sector,” he cautioned.
Balogun revealed that more local manufacturers had indicated interest in joining DIAN after the summit, a move he said would expand the association’s network and bolster Nigeria’s production capacity for world-class military equipment.
He further urged African governments to prioritise the patronage of homegrown defence products, arguing that such policies would stimulate job creation, reduce youth idleness and weaken recruitment pipelines for insurgent groups.
“Nigeria and Africa have what it takes to meet their defence needs internally. By supporting local manufacturers, we can build a stronger, more secure continent,” Balogun noted.
