In a major push to break its decades-long reliance on foreign arms procurements, Nigeria is accelerating plans to establish advanced domestic assembly lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems, and tactical military hardware through a joint partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and indigenous firm D7G Limited (DICON-D7G).
​The strategic initiative, executed in collaboration with global defense partners including Eagles International for Defence Systems, aims to shift the country from an importer of military assets to a self-sustaining defense manufacturing hub for Africa.
​The expansion follows an extensive two-day facility inspection tour conducted in Cairo, Egypt, led by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, alongside a delegation of senior military officials. The delegation evaluated production lines, automated machinery, and quality control systems intended for deployment to manufacturing plants across Nigeria.
​Speaking on the strategic vision, Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr. Osman Chennar, emphasized that the collaboration is designed to transfer cutting-edge technology directly into local hands.
​”The partnership establishes production lines capable of facilitating the transfer of advanced military technologies to Nigeria, positioning the nation to manufacture a broader range of equipment for its armed forces and potentially supply other African markets,” said Mr. Osman Chennar, CEO of DICON-D7G.
​Under the agreement, DICON-D7G is expanding manufacturing and assembly operations centered in Kaduna and Lagos to produce high-spec combat vehicles and tactical electronics.
​The target platforms include MRAP-Buffalo U.10 and M.12 variants, Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, APC Moon PT6, Rhino Guard GXR, and BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Tactical anti-drone platforms, convoy jammers, and remote-controlled surveillance equipment.
Armoured Personnel Carrier cabins, medical evacuation units, and 120mm manual mortar launcher cabins and scale-up of the locally assembled DG-103 assault rifles (upgraded Kalashnikov platform) alongside high-capacity small arms ammunition lines.
​In support of this manufacturing ecosystem, DICON-D7G recently unveiled plans for a dedicated military jetty near Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. The maritime logistics asset will streamline the importation of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components directly to production plants.
​The industrial shift is set to generate thousands of domestic jobs, directly aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
​According to DICON-D7G leadership, the main manufacturing facilities and logistics nodes will employ over 2,000 retired military personnel, leveraging their operational expertise alongside more than 5,000 civilian engineers, fabricators, drone technicians, and logistics experts.
​Board member Major General Mainasara Abdul Mainasara (retd) noted during a strategic briefing that every vehicle, drone, or rifle assembled locally conserves critical foreign exchange reserves while enhancing real-time defense readiness against national security threats.
​With active production lines already running in Kaduna and specialized infrastructure scheduled for deployment through late 2026, Nigeria is taking its firmest steps yet toward total defense self-sufficiency.
​It incorporates DICON-D7G’s major strategic announcements and facility inspection updates from mid-2026, including plans for local assembly lines in Kaduna, the proposed military jetty near Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, and the technology transfer partnerships inspected in Cairo.
