Nigeria is positioning itself as a major African hub for indigenous defence manufacturing, the Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, has said.
Chennar said the ambition was being driven by growing local capacity and strategic partnerships aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported military hardware.
He made this known in a statement on Saturday, following Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt, held from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10.
Chennar said DICON-D7G’s participation demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capabilities and determination to establish a robust indigenous defence manufacturing industry.
“DICON-D7G is a collaborative defence manufacturing partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and D7G Limited.
“It is aimed at producing military hardware locally, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening national security,” he said.
Chennar said the initiative was also aimed at making Nigeria a source of pride for Africa and a potential supplier of military equipment to other African countries.
He disclosed that arrangements were at an advanced stage for the provision of a military jetty in Lagos to further strengthen Nigeria’s military equipment supply capabilities.
Chennar said Nigeria’s participation in El Alamein marked the third major international defence exhibition where the country had showcased its growing defence manufacturing capacity.
“We were in Doha, Qatar; Ankara, Türkiye; and now Cairo, Egypt.
“Nigeria’s increasing presence at international defence exhibitions was evidence of steady progress in indigenous defence manufacturing,” he stated.
Chennar said the development would strengthen Nigeria’s role in Africa’s defence and security ecosystem while opening opportunities for greater regional cooperation. (NAN)
