Strategic Partnership: DICON and NISECEXPO 2025
The organizers of the Nigeria Security Exhibition and Conference (NISECEXPO) have recently secured a significant partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). This partnership, formalized on October 17, 2025, marks an important step towards advancing Nigeria’s military-industrial complex ahead of the 2025 edition of Africa’s premier defense trade show. The meeting took place at Navy Holdings in Abuja, attended by Frank Ohwofa, the convener of NISECEXPO, and Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, DICON’s 25th Director General.
The Upcoming Event: NISECEXPO 2025
DICON will co-host the 8th edition of NISECEXPO, aptly themed “Future Wars: Operational Endurance and Force Build-Up Capabilities.” Scheduled for December 8–10, 2025, at the National Defence College in Abuja, this event promises to be pivotal for both military and civil stakeholders.
Significance of the Partnership
This partnership arrives at a crucial time for Nigeria’s defense sector, which faces immense challenges and opportunities. Major General Alaya, who took command in April 2025, is tasked with implementing sweeping reforms guided by the DICON Act of 2023. For the defense community, the upcoming exhibition serves as an important benchmark—testing how effectively DICON can transition from its legacy as an ordnance factory to a modern manufacturer capable of addressing domestic security needs.
Revitalizing a Legacy Asset
Established in 1964 with technical assistance from West German firm Fritz Werner, DICON has historically faced obstacles such as underfunding and legislative support issues. During periods of low security intensity, the corporation often pivoted to civilian goods, like furniture, to sustain operations. However, the increasing demand for locally sourced military materials has sparked a strategic pivot, making self-sufficiency—autarky—a priority.
The DICON Act of 2023, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, is a critical legislative backbone for this revival. This new act repeals the outdated 1964 statute and empowers DICON to operate subsidiaries, draw in private investment, and establish a dedicated Research and Development (R&D) institute. This framework aims to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically inhibited rapid production and innovation.
Current Capabilities and Output
DICON’s revitalization efforts have already shown promising results. Under the recent leadership of Major General Aniedi Edet and now General Alaya, the corporation has resumed production lines that had been dormant for many years. In early 2024, DICON successfully delivered four million rounds of ammunition to the Nigerian Army, signaling a return to steady manufacturing operations.
Besides weaponry and ammunition, DICON has expanded its portfolio to include vehicular platforms. The Ezugwu Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, designed for counter-insurgency operations, has become a critical asset for the Nigerian Armed Forces. Additionally, the corporation is manufacturing ballistic vests, helmets, and uniforms, focusing on equipping the military with locally produced personal protective equipment (PPE).
Ambitious Production Targets
The Nigerian federal government has an ambitious goal to increase local defense equipment production to 40 percent by 2027. To achieve this, the administration approved a significant $1 billion investment deal with India in September 2023 aimed at modernizing DICON’s facilities. This capital influx will enhance the production of sophisticated hardware, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced artillery systems, effectively moving DICON up the defense value chain.
The Role of NISECEXPO 2025
Founded in 2014, NISECEXPO serves as a prominent forum for defense policymakers, service chiefs, and industry stakeholders from over 50 nations. The alignment with DICON for the 2025 edition aims to bridge the gap between strategic policy-making and actual industrial output.
The exhibition will provide a platform for defense analysts and engineers to evaluate DICON’s recent joint ventures through various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with both local and international firms. These agreements encompass technology transfer and co-production initiatives for armored tanks and retrofitting services—offering a transparent insight into how private capital is being integrated into state-owned lines of production.
Export Potential and Future Prospects
Furthermore, this partnership signals an increased focus on export potential. The new DICON Act explicitly allows for the export of surplus defense products. By leveraging NISECEXPO’s international presence, DICON aims to promote its hardware to other African nations grappling with similar security challenges, positioning Nigeria not merely as an importer but as a net exporter of security solutions.
As the 2025 edition of NISECEXPO approaches, the implications of these developments resonate beyond Nigeria. They highlight a transformative moment in the African defense landscape, emphasizing self-sufficiency and collaboration in addressing regional security concerns. The partnership between DICON and NISECEXPO is not merely a business venture; it represents a strategic alliance that could set a precedent for other nations on the continent.