The Federal Government has announced plans to drastically reduce and eventually eliminate the importation of defence and security equipment, with a target of producing all required assets locally within the next two to five years.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the **DICON X-Shield light tactical armoured vehicle**, alongside a new range of locally manufactured civilian armoured vehicles.
Represented at the event by the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, the minister said Nigeria’s current push into indigenous defence production represents the first phase of a wider long-term strategy.
According to him, the goal is to achieve full local manufacturing capacity for military and security equipment within the stipulated timeframe. “This is only the starting point,” he said, noting that sustained effort would ensure Nigeria no longer depends on foreign imports for defence needs.
Matawalle explained that the future of Nigeria’s defence capability lies in homegrown innovation supported by strategic partnerships. He stressed that producing equipment locally would not only strengthen national security but also create skilled employment, transfer technical expertise, conserve foreign exchange and position Nigeria for regional exports.
He described the unveiling of the armoured vehicles as more than a product launch, saying it reflected increasing confidence in Nigeria’s industrial and technical capacity. He recalled that DICON was established to drive indigenous defence manufacturing, reduce dependence on foreign supply chains and establish Nigeria as a credible defence equipment producer.
The minister added that achieving these objectives requires collaboration with private sector partners that possess the necessary technical competence, discipline and long-term commitment to sustainable production.
Commending X-Shield for its contributions, Matawalle highlighted the company’s expertise in vehicle armour, ballistic engineering, systems integration and quality assurance, describing it as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s defence industrial expansion.
He noted that the newly produced tactical armoured vehicle was designed to suit the demands of modern security operations, offering mobility, protection, adaptability and durability while remaining cost-effective and easy to maintain locally.
Matawalle further said the partnership between DICON and X-Shield would strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial base, facilitate technology transfer, conserve foreign exchange and open doors for export opportunities. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding similar collaborations that align security priorities with industrial growth and commercial viability.
Speaking at the event, X-Shield’s Chief Executive Officer, Charles Ibanga, said the company aims to become a dependable indigenous provider of armoured mobility solutions as demand continues to rise across defence agencies, critical infrastructure operators and the private sector.
Ibanga cited figures from the National Bureau of Statistics to highlight the scale of the opportunity. He said that in the last quarter of 2023 alone, Nigeria spent over ₦5.06 trillion importing armoured vehicles—surpassing expenditure on petrol, which stood at ₦1.81 trillion. Armoured vehicles, he noted, accounted for 35.87 per cent of the country’s total imports during the period.
Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on local defence manufacturing comes amid escalating security challenges and growing concerns about the financial and strategic risks of relying on imported military equipment. For years, dependence on foreign suppliers has exposed the country to supply disruptions, foreign exchange strain and procurement delays.
