Nigeria: 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 highlighted that this ambition is driven by the country’s growing local capacity and strategic partnerships, which aim to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported military hardware.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Chennar made this announcement in a statement following Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt, which was held from September 8 to September 10. He emphasized that DICON-D7G’s participation in the event showcased Nigeria’s determination and growing capabilities in establishing a strong indigenous defence manufacturing industry.
DICON-D7G is a collaborative partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and D7G Limited. It focuses on producing military hardware locally to reduce dependency on imports and enhance national security. Chennar stated that this initiati
ve is also intended to position Nigeria as a source of pride for Africa and a potential supplier of military equipment to other African nations.
Further, Chennar disclosed that arrangements are at an advanced stage for the establishment of a military jetty in Lagos. This development aims to further bolster Nigeria’s capabilities in supplying military equipment. He also noted that Nigeria’s participation in El Alamein marked the third major international defence exhibition where the country demonstrated its growing defence manufacturing capacity.
Chennar stated that Nigeria has previously showcased its progress in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, and now in Cairo, Egypt. He affirmed that Nigeria’s increasing presence at international defence exhibitions indicates steady progress in indigenous defence manufacturing.
This advancement is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s role in Africa’s defence and security ecosystem, paving the way for greater regional cooperation.