By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Nigeria is set to commission its first-ever military jetty in Lagos, a landmark project by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) designed to boost local defence production and create over 7,000 jobs for retired officers and skilled civilians.
The facility, to be located near Tin Can Island Port, will serve as a strategic hub for importing, assembling, and exporting military equipment, marking a major step in Nigeria’s drive for defence self-reliance.
Speaking during an on-site assessment of the proposed jetty, DICON-D7G Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Osman Chennar, described the project as a “critical backbone infrastructure” for Nigeria’s defence industry.
“This jetty is not just a maritime structure; it is a strategic national asset,” Chennar said. “It will redefine how Nigeria sources, assembles, produces, and exports defence equipment. It is about efficiency, security, and national pride.”
Chennar explained that the facility will streamline the importation of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components, raw materials, and other critical inputs required for domestic assembly of military hardware.
“At the moment, we rely heavily on third-party maritime logistics. With this dedicated military jetty, we will significantly cut down turnaround time, reduce demurrage costs, and secure our supply chain,” he said.
Once operational, the jetty will employ over 2,000 retired senior military officers alongside approximately 5,000 civilian engineers, welders, fabricators, drone specialists, and logistics personnel.
“We are deliberately integrating retired military personnel because they bring decades of operational knowledge and discipline,” Chennar noted.
“At the same time, we are opening doors for thousands of Nigerians in technical and engineering roles. This is defence industrialisation meeting job creation.”
The CEO added that the jetty will 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 for both Nigerian and African markets.
“Our DG103 rifle production line is active. The next step is strengthening inbound and outbound logistics. This jetty closes that gap,” Chennar said.
“We are building a fully integrated defence production chain, from import of components to final assembly and export.”
Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (retd.), a DICON-D7G board member, described the jetty as a turning point for Nigeria’s defence self-reliance.
“This facility will serve as both an import and export gateway,” Masanawa said.
“Beyond meeting local demand, Nigeria is positioning itself as a reliable defence manufacturing hub for friendly African nations. Every locally assembled rifle, drone, or armoured vehicle saves foreign exchange, builds expertise, and strengthens our security architecture against external supply shocks.”
Masanawa added that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes self-reliance, job creation, and economic diversification.
“This is not just a defence project; it is an economic project. It reflects a broader vision of industrial transformation under the Renewed Hope framework,” he said.
The military jetty is scheduled for official launch in June 2026 and is being positioned as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey from largely importing defence hardware to becoming a serious producer and exporter.
“History will remember this as the moment Nigeria moved decisively to establish a self-sustaining defence industrial base,” Chennar concluded.
