By Kingsley Omonobi

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Amendment Act signed by President Bola Tinubu is opening new opportunities for private sector participation in local arms and ammunition production, a defence industry expert has said.

A member of the Defence Industrial Association of Nigeria (DIAN), Engr. Kola Balogun, disclosed this at the weekend, noting that the amended law has removed major legal and structural constraints that previously limited indigenous involvement in defence manufacturing.

Balogun, who is also Chairman of Equipment & Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL), said the new framework now allows for more meaningful collaboration between government and private investors in developing homegrown military hardware as an alternative to heavy reliance on imported equipment.

According to him, the previous DICON Act significantly restricted private sector participation, but sustained advocacy over the years led to reforms that have now been actualised through presidential assent.

He explained that Nigerian manufacturers already possess the capacity to produce a wide range of defence equipment required by security agencies, if properly supported and patronised.

“One of the first major obstacles we encountered was the restrictive legal framework governing defence production. The DICON Act limited private sector participation in the defence industry,” he said.

“It took several years of engagement and advocacy to push for amendments to the Act. Today, we are grateful that President Bola Tinubu has assented to the amended DICON Act, creating opportunities for meaningful private sector participation.”

Balogun, who spoke at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, urged a shift in national mindset away from overdependence on foreign defence systems, stressing that imported solutions are often not suited to Nigeria’s unique security environment.

He argued that equipment designed for one terrain can become ineffective or even dangerous when deployed in entirely different operational conditions, such as Nigeria’s forested regions compared to desert warfare environments elsewhere.

“We must overcome the mindset that foreign solutions are always superior to local alternatives,” he said.

“No two wars are exactly the same, and no two security environments are identical. We must therefore develop solutions tailored to our peculiar realities rather than relying solely on imported systems.”

Balogun further called for stronger government support for indigenous defence manufacturers, insisting that the private sector should play a central role in driving defence acquisition and capability development.

He also urged authorities to move beyond policy declarations and ensure that the “Nigeria First” agenda translates into real procurement decisions that favour locally made products.

“The Nigeria First policy is commendable, but it must go beyond policy declarations to actual implementation,” he said.

“We must ask ourselves: how often do government institutions procure locally manufactured products when such products are available in Nigeria?”

He added that weak governance at the grassroots level remains a major driver of insecurity, noting that many communities experience limited government presence, which creates space for criminal activity to thrive.

“One of the root causes of insecurity and insurgency is the disconnect between governance and the grassroots,” he said.

“In many local government areas, citizens have little or no visible presence of government. Where government presence is weak, insecurity finds fertile ground.”

Balogun also advocated for greater involvement of local governments in community security efforts, including the procurement of locally produced protective equipment and other security tools.

According to him, such initiatives would not only improve security outcomes but also stimulate local manufacturing and contribute to economic growth.