The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) has designed the first-ever military jetty to be commissioned in Lagos, aimed at boosting local defence production and creating over 7,000 jobs for retired officers and skilled civilians.
The facility 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. It is to be located near Tin Can Island Port.
DICON-D7G Chief Executive Officer, Osman Chennar, speaking during an on-site assessment of the proposed jetty, described the project as a “critical backbone infrastructure” for Nigeria’s defence industry.
He stated that the jetty is not merely a maritime structure but a strategic national asset, adding that it will redefine how Nigeria sources, assembles, produces and exports defence equipment, emphasising efficiency, security and national pride.
Chennar explained, “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 present, he said the corporation relies heavily on third-party maritime logistics, stressing that with this dedicated military jetty it will significantly cut turnaround time, reduce demurrage costs and secure its supply chain.
The Chief Executive Officer further explained that once operational, the jetty would employ over 2,000 retired senior military officers alongside approximately 5,000 civilian engineers, welders, fabricators, drone specialists and logistics personnel.
He said they are deliberately integrating retired military personnel because they bring decades of operational knowledge and discipline, noting that at the same time they are opening doors for thousands of Nigerians in technical and engineering roles, which is defence industrialisation meeting job creation.
The CEO added that the jetty would support the 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, he stated, has already commenced production of DG103 rifles in Kaduna for both Nigerian and African markets, adding that while the DG103 rifle production line is active, the next step is strengthening inbound and outbound logistics, and the jetty closes that gap.
He said they are building a fully integrated defence production chain, from the importation of components to final assembly and export.”
A DICON-D7G board member, Major General Mainasara Abdul Mainasara (retd), described the jetty as a turning point for Nigeria’s defence self-reliance, stressing that the facility will serve as both an import and export gateway.
Beyond meeting local demand, he assured that Nigeria is positioning itself as a reliable defence manufacturing hub for friendly African nations, noting that every locally assembled rifle, drone or armoured vehicle saves foreign exchange, builds expertise and strengthens the 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. He said it is not just a defence project but an economic project, reflecting a broader vision of industrial transformation under the Renewed Hope framework.
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.
Chennar stated that history would remember this as the moment Nigeria moved decisively to establish a self-sustaining defence industrial base.
DICON-D7G to commission Nigeria’s first military jetty in Lagos
