By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chairman/CEO, Equipment & Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL Nigeria), Mr Kola Balogun, has called for stronger government support for indigenous defence manufacturers, saying local production remains critical to Nigeria’s security and industrial development.
Balogun made the call on Saturday in Abuja while speaking as a panelist at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026.
EPAIL is a leading indigenous security and defense manufacturing company, which specialises in producing tactical hardware like ballistic vests, armored vehicles, and surveillance systems.
He said Nigeria must deliberately support local manufacturers and fully implement the Nigeria First policy to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and strengthen national self-reliance.
According to him, indigenous companies possess the capacity to produce defence equipment tailored to Nigeria’s unique operational environment.
“One of the first major obstacles we encountered was the restrictive legal framework governing defence production. The DICON Act limited private sector participation in the defence industry.
“It took us several years of engagement and advocacy to push for amendments to the Act. Today, we are grateful that President Bola Tinubu has assented to the amended DICON Act, creating opportunities for meaningful private sector participation,” he said.
Balogun said beyond legislation, Nigeria must overcome the mindset that foreign solutions were always superior to local alternatives.
He said the country had witnessed situations where equipment designed for open desert warfare was deployed in dense forest terrains, reducing operational effectiveness and exposing troops to unnecessary risks.
“Do we truly believe that Nigerians can solve Nigerian problems?
“No two wars are exactly the same, and no two security environments are identical. We must therefore develop solutions tailored to our peculiar realities rather than relying solely on imported systems designed for completely different operational environments.
“This is why I strongly believe that a private sector-led defence industry should serve as the engine room for defence acquisition and capability development in Nigeria.
“Government must continue to create deliberate policies and incentives that encourage indigenous defence manufacturers to thrive,” he said.
The defence industry expert said local manufacturers had the capacity to support virtually every category of defence equipment required by the nation’s security agencies.
Balogun said the challenge informed the establishment of the Defence Industrial Association of Nigeria (DIAN), which brings together indigenous manufacturers to provide practical solutions to operational challenges facing the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He stressed that government institutions must move beyond policy pronouncements and demonstrate commitment through patronage of locally manufactured products.
“The Nigeria First policy is commendable, but it must go beyond policy declarations to actual implementation.
“We must ask ourselves: how often do government institutions procure locally manufactured products when such products are available in Nigeria?” he queried.
Balogun also linked insecurity to weak governance structures at the grassroots, saying the absence of visible government presence in many communities often created conditions that encouraged criminality.
He said strengthening local government administration would help reduce poverty, create opportunities and improve citizens’ confidence in government.
“One of the root causes of insecurity and insurgency is the disconnect between governance and the grassroots.
“In many local government areas, citizens have little or no visible presence of government. Where government presence is weak, insecurity finds fertile ground,” he said.
The EPAIL chairman urged local governments to support community security initiatives through the procurement of locally produced protective equipment and other security tools.
“Such actions would not only enhance security but also stimulate local manufacturing and economic growth,” he said.
Balogun expressed confidence that with the right policies, investments and support for indigenous manufacturers, Nigeria could build a self-reliant and globally competitive defence industry capable of meeting its national security needs.
“If we truly believe in our own capacity, support indigenous manufacturers, and create the right policy environment, Nigeria can develop a self-reliant and globally competitive defence industry capable of meeting our national security needs,” he said.
The conference has as its theme: “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
