…..highlights Nigeria’s growing indigenous military manufacturing capacity

The Chief Executive Officer of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria-D7G (DICON-D7G), Osman Chennar, has commended Nigeria’s defence manufacturing industry for making a strong impression on the global stage at the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt.

The El Alamein International Airshow 2026 (EIAS 2026), held in Egypt from September 8 to 10, brought together leading players in the global aerospace and defence industry.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Chennar said the 2026 edition was the second edition of the international airshow, following its inaugural event in 2024, which attracted more than 250 exhibitors from 50 countries.

The maiden edition also featured more than 100 aircraft and attracted over 12,000 visitors.
Chennar said DICON-D7G’s participation further demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capacity and determination to develop a robust indigenous defence manufacturing industry.

“DICON-D7G is a collaborative defence manufacturing partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and D7G Limited, aimed at producing military hardware locally, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening national security,” he said.

According to him, the company is positioning Nigeria to attain greater heights in defence manufacturing while making the country a source of pride for Africa and a potential hub for the supply of military equipment to Nigeria and other African countries.

Chennar also disclosed that arrangements were at an advanced stage for the provision of a military jetty in Lagos, which he said would further enhance Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in military equipment supply and support the country’s broader defence capabilities.

He said Nigeria’s participation in the El Alamein exhibition marked the third time the country had showcased its growing capabilities at major international defence industry exhibitions.

“We were in Doha, Qatar; Ankara, Türkiye; and now Cairo, Egypt,” Chennar stated.
He described Nigeria’s growing presence at international defence exhibitions as evidence of the country’s steady progress in indigenous defence manufacturing and its ambition to play a more prominent role in Africa’s defence and security ecosystem.