In a landmark move for the nation’s defence industrialisation, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) has announced the construction of Nigeria’s first dedicated military jetty, a facility expected to generate more than 7,000 employment opportunities for retired military personnel and skilled civilians.
The strategic maritime installation, slated for location near the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, represents a significant leap forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of defence self-sufficiency. The facility will function as a central hub for the importation, assembly, and export of military equipment, fundamentally transforming the country’s defence procurement and production landscape.
During a comprehensive on-site assessment of the proposed development, DICON-D7G Chief Executive Officer Mr Osman Chennar described the project as “critical backbone infrastructure” that would underpin the nation’s expanding defence manufacturing capabilities.
“This jetty is not merely a maritime structure; it constitutes a strategic national asset,” Mr Chennar stated. “It will fundamentally redefine how Nigeria sources, assembles, produces, and exports defence equipment. This initiative encompasses efficiency, security, and national pride.”
Mr Chennar elaborated that the facility would streamline the importation of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components, raw materials, and other essential inputs required for the domestic assembly of military hardware.
“Presently, we depend substantially on third-party maritime logistics providers. With this dedicated military jetty, we will achieve significant reductions in turnaround time, minimise demurrage costs, and secure our supply chain against external vulnerabilities,” he explained.
Upon becoming operational, the jetty will employ more than 2,000 retired senior military officers alongside approximately 5,000 civilian professionals, including engineers, welders, fabricators, drone specialists, and logistics personnel.
“We are deliberately integrating retired military personnel because they bring decades of operational knowledge and institutional discipline to this endeavour,” Mr Chennar noted. “Simultaneously, we are creating opportunities for thousands of Nigerians in technical and engineering roles. This represents defence industrialisation meeting meaningful job creation.”
The Chief Executive Officer added that the jetty would support local manufacturing and assembly of small and medium arms, ammunition, tactical drones, unmanned systems, anti-jammer drones, and 4×4 and 6×6 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
DICON-D7G has already commenced production of DG103 rifles in Kaduna, catering to both Nigerian and broader African markets.
“Our DG103 rifle production line is currently operational. The next logical step involves strengthening inbound and outbound logistics infrastructure. This jetty effectively closes that gap,” Mr Chennar said. “We are constructing a fully integrated defence production chain, from component importation through final assembly to export.”
Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (retd.), a member of the DICON-D7G board, characterised the jetty as a transformative moment for Nigeria’s defence self-reliance aspirations.
“This facility will serve as both an import and export gateway,” General Masanawa affirmed. “Beyond satisfying local demand, Nigeria is positioning itself as a dependable defence manufacturing hub for friendly African nations. Every locally assembled rifle, drone, or armoured vehicle conserves foreign exchange, develops domestic expertise, and strengthens our security architecture against external supply disruptions.”
General Masanawa further noted that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises self-reliance, job creation, and economic diversification.
“This transcends being merely a defence project; it is fundamentally an economic project. It reflects a broader vision of industrial transformation under the Renewed Hope framework,” he added.
The military jetty, scheduled for official commissioning in June 2026, is being positioned as a milestone in Nigeria’s transition from a predominantly defence hardware importing nation to a significant producer and exporter in the sector.
Economic analysts have welcomed the development, noting that the integration of retired military personnel into the workforce addresses both national security objectives and post-service employment challenges. The inclusion of civilian technical specialists equally promises to build a broader industrial skills base within the Nigerian economy.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has undergone substantial transformation in recent years, evolving from a primarily regulatory body to an active participant in defence manufacturing. The partnership with D7G represents a public-private collaboration model that government officials believe could be replicated across other strategic sectors.
Industry observers suggest that the development of dedicated defence logistics infrastructure positions Nigeria favourably within the African defence manufacturing landscape, potentially reducing the continent’s historical dependence on extra-continental defence suppliers.
The jetty’s proximity to Tin Can Island Port, one of West Africa’s busiest maritime facilities, provides strategic advantages for both inbound raw materials and outbound finished products. Logistics experts anticipate that dedicated military handling facilities will significantly reduce current delays experienced with commercial port operations.
Environmental considerations have also been incorporated into the planning process, with project developers confirming compliance with relevant maritime and environmental regulations governing Lagos port operations.
“History will remember this as the moment Nigeria moved decisively to establish a self-sustaining defence industrial base,” Mr Chennar concluded.
The project is expected to generate substantial multiplier effects within the Lagos maritime economy, including opportunities for local suppliers, service providers, and supporting industries. With construction timelines already established, stakeholders across the defence and maritime sectors are now positioning themselves to participate in what promises to be one of the most significant defence infrastructure developments in Nigeria’s post-independence history.
