In a significant endorsement of the federal government’s strategic direction, the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for fostering an environment conducive to building a sovereign defence industrial base. This commendation, however, is coupled with a pressing call for the government to translate policy into tangible procurement contracts for local firms.
In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the Secretary-General of DIAN, Mr. Kola Balogun, articulated the sector’s perspective. He identified the ‘Nigeria First’ policy as a foundational framework crucial for moving beyond mere arms importation to developing indigenous defence capabilities.
“The logic is inescapable,” Balogun stated. “The asymmetric and often unconventional security threats we face—from insurgencies to banditry—are deeply local in nature. They require tailored solutions. Foreign equipment, while sometimes advanced, is not always optimized for our specific terrain, climate, and threat profiles. Indigenous production allows for the development of both lethal and non-lethal systems designed with our operational realities in mind.”
Balogun elaborated on the multiplier effects of a robust local defence industry, which extend far beyond battlefield utility. He highlighted:
- Technology Transfer & Domestication of Expertise: Moving assembly lines to full-scale manufacturing embeds advanced engineering, robotics, and materials science knowledge within the Nigerian economy.
- Human Capacity Growth: Creating high-skilled jobs in manufacturing, R&D, and systems integration, fostering a new generation of Nigerian defence technologists.
- Economic Sovereignty: Reducing the massive capital flight associated with multi-billion dollar foreign arms deals, and recycling defence spending within the local economy.
Despite this potential, Balogun pinpointed a critical bottleneck: low patronage. “We have the capacity, but the demand signal from the government must be consistent and substantial,” he lamented. He revealed that many local defence firms are undergoing rigorous restructuring to meet international quality standards and position themselves as reliable partners, yet they await the crucial validation that only sizeable government contracts can provide.
The DIAN scribe traced the association’s genesis to the landmark review of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act, which broke the state monopoly and invited private sector innovation and investment. He commended the current DICON leadership for fostering public-private synergy and engaging with global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Looking to the future, Balogun outlined DIAN’s roadmap for 2026, which focuses on actionable advocacy:
- Improved Funding & Procurement Guarantees: Lobbying for dedicated funding lines and ‘set-asides’ in defence budgets for locally manufactured equipment.
- Standards & Interoperability: Working with the military to establish clear technical standards, ensuring locally produced gear can seamlessly integrate with existing platforms and is serviceable in the long term.
- Spurring Ancillary Industries: A vibrant defence manufacturing hub would naturally stimulate a local spare parts, maintenance, and software support ecosystem, drastically reducing dependence on foreign logistical tails.
- Regional Market Ambitions: With government backing, Nigeria could position itself as a defence solutions provider for West Africa, addressing common regional security challenges and generating export revenue.
Balogun expressed cautious optimism, concluding that with sustained political will and deliberate procurement choices, Nigeria possesses the potential to evolve into a credible defence industrial complex. This would not only enhance national security self-reliance but also transform defence from a perpetual cost centre into a strategic, knowledge-driven sector of the economy. The success of the ‘Nigeria First’ policy in defence now hinges on the critical step from encouraging words to firm purchase orders.
(Based on an original report by Sumaila Ogbaje for NAN. Edited by Yakubu Uba.)
