By Musa Maye
Nigeria has officially awarded the contract for the construction of its first Military Jetty, moving forward with plans to build the facility near Tin Can Island Port in Lagos as part of a broader strategy to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing capacity.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G), Mr. Osman Chennar, on Tuesday led members of the corporation’s Board of Directors on an inspection of the proposed project site, describing the initiative as a “strategic game changer” for Nigeria’s defence logistics and local arms production.
The jetty, which is expected to be officially launched in June 2026, is designed to serve as a dedicated maritime logistics facility supporting the importation of components, raw materials and specialised equipment needed for the local manufacturing of military hardware.
Speaking with journalists during the inspection visit, Chennar said the facility would play a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s defence supply chain while accelerating the country’s push toward military self-reliance.
“This Military Jetty is a strategic enabler. It will significantly enhance our inbound logistics by allowing seamless importation of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components, raw materials and other essential supplies required for local assembly and full-scale production,” he said.
According to him, the jetty will reduce cargo turnaround time, cut transportation costs and streamline logistics operations for defence manufacturing.
The project site, located close to Tin Can Island Port—one of West Africa’s busiest maritime corridors—is expected to provide direct maritime access for defence-related cargo entering Nigeria.
Officials say the strategic location will allow DICON-D7G to efficiently receive specialised equipment and materials used in the production and assembly of military hardware.
Chennar disclosed that the jetty would support the local production of a wide range of defence systems, including small and medium arms, ammunition, tactical drones, anti-jamming drone systems and armoured vehicles such as 4×4 and 6×6 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
He also revealed that DICON-D7G has already commenced production of DG103 rifles at its manufacturing facility in Kaduna, with plans to supply the Nigerian Armed Forces and export to other African countries.
“At full capacity, the jetty project will create employment for over 2,000 retired military personnel and about 5,000 skilled civilian workers,” Chennar said.
“Beyond job creation, it will enable us to produce thousands of military-grade weapons and ammunition to sufficiently equip the Armed Forces of Nigeria and also export to friendly African nations.”
Security analysts say the project reflects Nigeria’s growing determination to reduce its dependence on foreign defence suppliers while building a sustainable domestic military industrial base.
For decades, Nigeria has relied heavily on imported weapons systems and equipment, often facing delays, procurement bottlenecks and foreign exchange constraints.
By expanding local production capacity, the government hopes to improve operational readiness for the military while strengthening the country’s defence economy.
A member of the DICON-D7G Board of Directors, Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (Rtd), said the jetty would serve not only as a logistics hub but also as an export gateway for Nigerian-made defence products.
“This project reinforces Nigeria’s position as a regional defence manufacturing hub,” Masanawa said.
“It will deepen cooperation with allied African countries while reducing our reliance on foreign sources for defence equipment.”
He noted that the initiative aligns with the broader objective of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on defence industrial self-reliance and national security.
Masanawa added that expanding domestic manufacturing will also reduce the pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves by lowering the country’s dependence on imported military hardware.
“By strengthening local production capacity, we will reduce foreign exchange expenditure on defence imports, build local technical expertise, stimulate technology transfer and enhance national security through sustainable, homegrown solutions,” he said.
Industry observers say the proposed jetty could become a critical component of Nigeria’s emerging defence industrial ecosystem, linking maritime logistics directly with manufacturing facilities across the country.
If successfully completed, the facility is expected to improve the efficiency of defence supply chains while positioning Nigeria as a potential exporter of military equipment within Africa.
With the project scheduled for launch in mid-2026, defence stakeholders say the development could mark the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s effort to build a resilient and self-sustaining defence industry.
Middle-Belt Times 