By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for the growth of Nigeria’s military industrial base.
The Secretary-General of DIAN, Mr Kola Balogun, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Balogun said the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy provides a critical platform for strengthening local defence capability, adding that indigenous production of military hardware was key to addressing Nigeria’s peculiar security challenges.
He said that most of the security threats confronting the country were local in nature and required locally developed solutions, including both lethal and non-lethal weapons tailored to Nigeria’s operational environment.
According to him, building domestic defence capability would not only enhance national security but also promote technology transfer, domestication of expertise and the growth of human capacity.
He, however, lamented low patronage of locally produced defence equipment despite the capacity available within the country, adding that many local defence firms were undergoing restructuring to correct past gaps and position themselves for sustainable growth.
Balogun said the review of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act, which opened the sector to private sector participation, was responsible for the emergence of DIAN.
He commended the Director-General of DICON for promoting synergy between local and foreign defence industries, while calling for increased government patronage and regional market expansion to enable Nigeria supply defence solutions to neighbouring countries.
Looking ahead to 2026, the DIAN scribe said the association would intensify advocacy for improved funding, stronger collaboration and the establishment of new standards to ensure interoperability, serviceability and sustainability of defence equipment.
He said such efforts would also stimulate the growth of a local spare parts industry, reduce dependence on foreign support and guarantee long-term operational readiness of military assets.
Balogun expressed optimism that with sustained government support, Nigeria could evolve into a robust defence industrial complex capable of meeting national and regional security needs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
