Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening its defence technology industry after the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) signed a landmark agreement with Nigerian defence tech firm Terra Industries to enhance local production of advanced military systems.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see DICON and Terra Industries establish a Joint Venture Company (JVC) — a subsidiary jointly owned and operated by both parties — focused on local production, research, development, and training for cutting-edge defence technologies.

What the Partnership Will Do

Under the agreement:

• The joint venture will set up production and assembly lines in Nigeria for defence systems.
• It will support research and development (R&D) in technologies such as drones, robotics, cybersecurity solutions, and surveillance platforms.
• Nigerian personnel will receive specialised training and skills development to strengthen the country’s technical expertise.
• The partnership aims to reduce dependence on imports, promote local sourcing, and build a regional hub for defence innovation.

This move aligns with Section 4 of the DICON Act 2023, which empowers the corporation to enter public-private partnerships and modernise Nigeria’s defence industrial base.

🇳🇬 A Boost for Sovereign Defence Capability

Speaking on the agreement, Major General B.I. Alaya, Director-General of DICON, described it as a transformational step for Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity — one that will cut import reliance and position Nigeria as a regional centre for advanced security technology.

“We are building capacity to produce sophisticated systems here — from drones to secure platforms that meet local security demands,” Alaya said.

Nathaniel Nwachukwu, CEO of Terra Industries, said the deal shows confidence in Nigerian engineering talent and lays the foundation for sustainable technology development and competitive defence exports.