The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has announced a new strategy to boost local production of military equipment, aimed at strengthening national security and ending the country's dependence on imported defence hardware. This was revealed in a communiqué issued at the end of the association's General Meeting in Abuja.
Key Objectives of the Strategy
The strategy is designed to fast-track self-reliance in defence production through enhanced indigenous capacity, innovation, and industrial collaboration. The communiqué, signed by DIAN's General Secretary, Engr. Kola Balogun, identified the full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 as central to achieving this objective. The Act provides a framework for local manufacturing, technology transfer, reduced import dependence, foreign exchange conservation, and job creation.
Growing Investor Confidence
DIAN disclosed that more than 18 new members have been admitted into the association, signalling growing investor confidence in Nigeria's defence industrial space. The association is also developing a coordinated strategy to deepen synergy among stakeholders and advise the government on policies to reduce reliance on imported military hardware.
Strengthening Supply Chains
The initiative aims to strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity. However, DIAN pointed out that weak coordination within the defence industrial ecosystem remains a major bottleneck and called for stronger institutional alignment and policy execution.
Internal Reforms and Elections
As part of internal reforms, DIAN announced the dissolution of its pioneer executives and trustees, with fresh elections slated for July 2026. The association also adopted its constitution to guide operations and ensure transparency and accountability.
Upcoming Exhibition
Regarding the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), scheduled for October 26 to 29, 2026 in Lagos, DIAN urged its members to participate. The event will serve as a platform to showcase Nigeria's growing defence manufacturing capacity.
Commitment to a Resilient Industrial Complex
The association reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and globally competitive military industrial complex to drive local procurement, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria's defence capability.
The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) is an association of indigenous private and public sector defence manufacturing organisations in Nigeria, set up to meet the objectives of the Military Industrial Complex (MICs) by producing defence articles needed by the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies. Some statutory operations of the association are outlined in the recent DICON Act of 2023, assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
