The Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has said that the full implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act (2023), will boost indigenous capacity to produce equipment, thereby ending the nation’s reliance on foreign military hardware.

The declaration was contained in a statement signed on Friday in Abuja by the General Secretary of DIAN, Kola Balogun.

Specifically, the association noted that the development will facilitate self-reliance in defence production through enhanced indigenous capacity, innovation, and industrial collaboration.

According to the association, “the Act provides a framework for local manufacturing, technology transfer, reduced import dependence, foreign exchange conservation, and job creation”.

It added that, “more than 18 new members had been admitted, signalling growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s defence industrial space.”

It said it was also developing a coordinated strategy to deepen synergy among stakeholders and advise the government on policies to cut reliance on imported military hardware.

The initiative, the organisation further argued, “would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity”.

While highlighting weak coordination within the defence industrial ecosystem as a major setback, it sought enhanced institutional alignment and policy execution.