DICON-D7G to Establish Nigeria’s First Military Jetty, Creating 7,000 Jobs and Boosting Defence Self-Reliance

Nigeria is set to take a significant step in strengthening its defence infrastructure and industrial capacity, as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, in partnership with D7G, unveils plans to construct the country’s first-ever military jetty. The proposed facility will be located near Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, a strategic maritime hub that plays a critical role in Nigeria’s import and export activities.

The Chief Executive Officer of the DICON-D7G initiative, Osman Chennar, described the project as a transformative development that will redefine how Nigeria manages its defence logistics and manufacturing processes. According to him, the jetty will serve as a “strategic national asset,” enabling the country to handle the importation of raw materials and export of finished defence products more efficiently. This, he explained, will significantly reduce dependence on third-party maritime services, shorten turnaround times, and cut down on costs such as demurrage.

Beyond logistics, the project is expected to have a strong economic impact. Once operational, the facility is projected to generate over 7,000 direct jobs. These opportunities will include the recruitment of more than 2,000 retired senior military personnel, as well as around 5,000 civilians with technical and professional expertise. The civilian workforce is expected to consist of engineers, welders, drone operators, logistics specialists, and other skilled professionals, reflecting the technical complexity of the project.

The jetty will also support a wide range of defence production activities. Plans indicate that it will facilitate the assembly and manufacturing of small and medium arms, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, tactical drones, unmanned aerial systems, and anti-jamming technologies. This aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to build a more self-reliant defence sector capable of meeting both domestic and regional demands.

In recent developments, DICON-D7G has already begun manufacturing DG103 rifles in Kaduna, targeting not only the Nigerian market but also other African countries. The addition of a dedicated military jetty is expected to complement such production efforts by providing a seamless logistics chain from production to distribution.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Mainasara Abdul Masanawa noted that the project represents a turning point for Nigeria’s defence capabilities. He emphasized that developing local production infrastructure would help conserve foreign exchange, reduce reliance on imports, and encourage the transfer of advanced technology into the country. In his view, the jetty could position Nigeria as a key player in defence manufacturing within Africa.

The project is scheduled for launch in June 2026 and is being linked to the broader policy direction of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. It aligns with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, create employment, and enhance national security through local capacity development.

While the announcement has been welcomed by some observers as a forward-looking initiative, others remain cautiously optimistic, noting that similar projects in the past have faced delays or failed to materialize. Nonetheless, if successfully executed, the military jetty could mark a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward defence self-sufficiency, while also contributing to economic growth and technological advancement.