Nigeria must end reliance on foreign weapons — DIAN scribe

Nigeria must prioritize ending its reliance on imported defense equipment and instead invest in locally manufactured alternatives tailored to the country's specific security needs, stated Kola Balogun, General Secretary of the Defence Industrial Association of Nigeria (DIAN).

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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 designed for completely different operational environments.

Balogun, who also chairs Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited, warned that Nigeria's continued dependence on foreign defense systems, frequently designed for dissimilar operational environments, compromises the effectiveness of its security forces. He cited instances where equipment suitable for desert warfare proved ineffective in dense forest terrains, leading to detrimental operational outcomes and exposing troops to unnecessary risks.

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This is why I strongly believe that a private sector-led defence industry should serve as the engine room for defence acquisition and capability development in Nigeria.

"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 designed for completely different operational environments," Balogun urged. He asserted that local manufacturers possess the capability to produce virtually all categories of defense equipment required by Nigeria's security agencies.

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The Nigeria First policy is commendable, but it must go beyond policy declarations to actual implementation. We must ask ourselves: how often do government institutions procure locally manufactured products when such product

Balogun emphasized that a private sector-led defense industry should drive defense acquisition and capability development in Nigeria. He called for deliberate government policies and incentives to foster the growth of indigenous manufacturers. The recent assent by President Bola Tinubu to the amended DICON Act, which facilitates private sector participation in defense production, was highlighted as a significant step forward resulting from years of advocacy. However, Balogun stressed that legislation alone is insufficient, urging government institutions to translate the "Nigeria First" policy into concrete procurement actions for locally made products.

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It took us 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.