As part of the 2026 budget proposals, the Ministry of Defence has put forward plans to establish a Military Industrial Complex (MIC), complementing current investments to revitalise the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The proposal is included in the Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly, with a budget allocation of N21 million.
The MIC is envisioned to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to produce military equipment domestically. While details on its operations remain scarce, the initiative mirrors global models such as the United States’ Military Industrial Complex, which manages research, development, production, and supply of advanced weaponry.
The proposal comes amid ongoing efforts to modernise DICON, Nigeria’s primary military manufacturing corporation. The government has committed substantial funds to upgrade facilities, including a reported $1 billion agreement with India, an N8 billion allocation for factory repairs, and joint ventures with private Nigerian companies like SP Offshore Nigeria Limited, D7G, and Roving Guard Nigeria Limited. DICON has also partnered with Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. to strengthen local production of military hardware.
DICON’s current mandate includes overseeing subsidiaries and ordnance factories, supporting local defence manufacturing, and operating the Defence Industry Technology, Research, and Development Institute to foster innovation in military technology. For 2026, the corporation has been allocated N7.65 billion, reflecting the government’s continued focus on building domestic defence capabilities.
Some critics, however, have questioned the necessity of the MIC, arguing that the ongoing DICON modernisation may already address gaps in local military production and technological advancement.
The MIC proposal, alongside DICON’s upgrades, forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen national security, reduce reliance on foreign arms, and develop a self-sufficient defence industry.
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