The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria-D7G (DICON-D7G) has positioned Nigeria's defence manufacturing sector as a source of pride for the African continent, following the country's latest appearance at a major global exhibition, according to the company's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Osman Chennar.
Chennar made the remarks in a statement released on Saturday, September 12, in Abuja, after Nigeria's participation in the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 (EIAS 2026), held in Egypt from September 8 to 10, 2026. The event brought together top players in aerospace and defence from across the world.
Nigeria's Third Major Defence Exhibition Appearance
The 2026 edition was the second instalment of the airshow. Its inaugural event in 2024 drew more than 250 exhibitors from 50 countries, featured over 100 aircraft, and attracted more than 12,000 visitors.
Chennar described DICON-D7G as a collaborative manufacturing partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and D7G Limited, set up to produce military hardware locally, cut reliance on imports, and reinforce national security.
"DICON-D7G is a collaborative defence manufacturing partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and D7G Limited, aimed at producing military hardware locally, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening national security," he said.
He added that the company's goal is to position Nigeria as a potential supply hub for military equipment, serving both its own armed forces and other African nations.
From Doha to Cairo: Nigeria's Expanding Defence Footprint
Egypt was not Nigeria's first outing at a high-profile defence forum. Chennar said the country had now appeared at three major international defence exhibitions.
"We were in Doha, Qatar; Ankara, Türkiye; and now Cairo, Egypt," he said, calling the run of appearances evidence of Nigeria's steady advancement in indigenous defence manufacturing.
Beyond the airshow, Chennar disclosed that arrangements for a military jetty in Lagos were nearing completion. He said the facility would strengthen Nigeria's ability to supply and sustain its own military equipment, supporting the country's wider defence ambitions.
He framed Nigeria's expanding international footprint in the defence sector as part of a broader push to give the country a more prominent role in Africa's security landscape.
DIMDEX 2026: Nigeria Presents Self-Made Defence Technology
In a related development, Nigeria recently achieved a historic milestone in its defence and industrial development with the global debut of the DICON-D7G. A statement cited by Legit.ng on Tuesday, January 28, noted that it was a fully indigenous defence platform. The unveiling was done at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026). The exhibition is one of the world's leading maritime and naval defence gatherings, attracting policymakers, senior military officials, and defence technology companies from across the globe.
