The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has unveiled plans to produce 30 million rounds of ammunition annually and move toward self-sufficiency in gunpowder production.
The announcement was made by Babatunde Alaya, DICON’s Director-General, during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), scheduled to hold from 26–29 October in Lagos.
Alaya revealed that Nigeria has historically relied on imported gunpowder for ammunition production.
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He noted that a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with international partner SPARTA will enable DICON to commence domestic production of gunpowder by August 2026.
“Before now, we imported some gunpowder, but we have signed a memorandum of understanding with one of our international partners, and in about eight months, we will start producing gunpowder in Nigeria,” Alaya said.
He added that the corporation has also expanded partnerships with indigenous companies to produce specialized defence equipment.
“This includes marine-shaped charges for marine exploration and the assembly of weapons from completely knocked-down (CKD) parts in collaboration with G7G.
“Additionally, some indigenous firms are already producing mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and other personnel carriers, including Proforce, E-PILS, Vanquish, and Imperial,” he added.
Speaking on the forthcoming AFRIDEX 2026, Alaya described the event as a landmark platform designed to bring together global defence, security, and technology stakeholders.
“The exhibition will attract participants from Africa, Europe, and Asia, including leading defence manufacturers, policymakers, security experts, and technocrats.
“Over four days, attendees will engage in strategic forums, high-level discussions, program demonstrations, and exhibitions featuring the latest technologies in land, air, maritime, and sabotage defence systems”, he said.
Alaya emphasised that the event will foster public-private partnerships and cross-continental cooperation, positioning Nigeria as a hub for industrial innovation and strategic security collaboration.
“DICON’s push for local gunpowder production and expanded partnerships with indigenous and international firms marks a strategic step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing”, he mentioned .
Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, highlighted that AFRIDEX 2026 is organised through strategic collaboration between DICON and its international partner, DMG Events, globally recognized for defence and industrial exhibitions.
He stressed that the exhibition aligns with the recently enacted DICON Act 2023, which empowers the corporation to operate as a modern defence manufacturing entity.
The law authorises DICON to regulate the defence industrial sector, promote research and development, and engage both domestic and foreign partners to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
Matawalle also underscored the financial benefits of domestic production, explaining that local manufacturing would reduce dependence on foreign procurement and ease pressure on the naira caused by dollar-denominated purchases.
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Christopher Hudson, President of DMG Events, said Nigeria was selected to host AFRIDEX due to its status as Africa’s largest economy and a regional leader in defence and industrial capabilities.
“Defence investment and capability development in Africa are accelerating, with nations allocating about $52 billion annually, projected to increase across maritime, cyber, and space domains.
“AFRIDEX 2026 will provide access to global technologies, sovereign capability partners, and regional solutions aligned with Africa’s operational realities”, Hudson said.
He revealed that the exhibition is expected to host over 30,000 attendees, 500 exhibiting companies, and participants from more than 100 countries, providing an unparalleled platform for showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies and fostering international collaborations.
