BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Nigeria has marked a major milestone in its defence and industrial journey with the global unveiling of the DICON-D7G, a fully indigenous defence manufacturing platform, at the ongoing Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) in Qatar.
The exhibition, which runs until January 23, is among the world’s foremost maritime and naval defence events, drawing senior military commanders, policymakers and leading defence technology firms from across the globe.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian exhibition booth on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the DICON-D7G as clear evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity for indigenous defence manufacturing and technological innovation.
Vice Admiral Abbas said Nigeria’s participation at DIMDEX underscored its commitment to maritime security cooperation and industrial advancement, noting that the exhibition represents the country’s most ambitious international defence outing to date.
He explained that for the first time since the establishment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in 1968, the Federal Government is presenting a comprehensive platform covering production, assembly, maintenance, storage and export of military hardware.
According to him, the initiative reflects Nigeria’s resolve to move from an import-dependent defence system to a self-reliant and export-driven military-industrial complex capable of supporting national and regional security needs.
The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr. Osman Chennar, said the platform is the outcome of years of strategic reforms, policy alignment and public-private partnerships aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
“DICON-D7G offers end-to-end defence solutions, from weapons production and systems integration to maintenance, logistics, warehousing and export readiness,” Chennar said, adding that the platform also prioritises human capacity development.
He noted that retired military generals and experienced professionals are being integrated with civilian experts to mentor and train the next generation of defence personnel, stressing that the initiative goes beyond equipment production to long-term capacity building.
Also speaking, the Director of Land Systems at DICON, retired Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa, described DIMDEX 2026 as a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to engage global manufacturers, technology partners and investors.
He disclosed that DICON-D7G is exploring technology transfer arrangements, joint ventures and export opportunities, particularly within Africa, the Middle East and other emerging defence markets.
Industry analysts said Nigeria’s presence at DIMDEX sends a strong signal of the Federal Government’s determination to reposition DICON as a competitive player in the global defence industry while strengthening national security through local content development.
As the exhibition continues, observers expect Nigeria’s indigenous defence debut to attract significant international interest and enhance the country’s strategic profile in the global defence and security landscape.
