Nigeria Urged to Invest in Local Defense Manufacturing

Kola Balogun, the Secretary of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN), called for an end to Nigeria's reliance on foreign weapons during a discussion in Abuja. He emphasized the need for investment in local manufacturing to develop defense capabilities that meet the country's unique security requirements.

Balogun, who also serves as Chairman and CEO of Equip Protect, warned that Nigeria's dependence on foreign defense systems, which are designed for different operational environments, undermines the effectiveness of its security forces and exposes troops to unnecessary risks. He highlighted the importance of developing solutions tailored to Nigeria's specific security challenges, noting that local manufacturers already possess the capacity to produce a wide range of defense equipment.

Balogun urged the government to create policies that support indigenous manufacturing and to prioritize local procurement. He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu's recent assent to amend the DICON Act, which opens the door for private sector participation in defense product development, but stressed that legislative changes alone are insufficient without concrete action.