RismadarVoice Reporters
October 28, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to commence large-scale local production of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment within one year to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed the plan during the inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026) in Lagos.
Musa said the proposed expansion would enable Nigeria to meet more of its domestic military requirements while creating opportunities to export defence equipment to other African countries.
According to the minister, the government is pursuing investments, technology transfer, research and strategic partnerships with international manufacturers to develop the country’s defence industry.
He described the initiative as an important step towards achieving greater self-reliance in military equipment production and strengthening national security.
The minister identified the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) as a central institution in the government’s efforts to expand local manufacturing capacity.
Nigeria currently relies heavily on imported military equipment, including supplies from the United States, France, Italy and China.
Musa explained that expanding indigenous production would help address this dependence while improving the availability of equipment required by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The planned manufacturing expansion is expected to cover weapons, ammunition and other essential defence systems, although detailed production targets and implementation schedules have not been publicly specified.
The minister also highlighted the importance of AFRIDEX as a platform for strengthening bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation.
The exhibition brought together government representatives, military institutions, defence manufacturers, investors and technology innovators to explore partnerships addressing Africa’s security challenges.
Discussions covered land, air, maritime, space and cybersecurity capabilities, with particular attention to industrial development, emerging technologies and investment opportunities.
President Bola Tinubu, represented at the exhibition by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, called for stronger defence partnerships and greater investment in African manufacturing capabilities.
Musa commended the President’s support for indigenous defence production and efforts to strengthen the country’s security institutions.
The proposed expansion builds on Nigeria’s existing defence manufacturing activities rather than establishing an entirely new industry.
However, the government’s one-year target remains a planned milestone, with its achievement dependent on investment, industrial capacity, technology partnerships and successful implementation.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as a regional centre for defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported military hardware.
