RusselSmith Partners with DICON to Boost Local Defence Manufacturing in Nigeria

RusselSmith Nigeria Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to enhance domestic production of defence equipment and components.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the partnership aims to advance the local development and manufacturing of industrial and military-grade products for critical defence systems. The initiative aligns with the DICON Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s directive to promote indigenous technology and domestic industrial participation in national security infrastructure.

“By leveraging RusselSmith’s expertise in industrial additive manufacturing alongside DICON’s established role as the nation’s defence production authority, this collaboration will enable local production of high-performance parts, tools, and assemblies for military applications,” the statement said.

The partnership will also focus on developing the local ecosystem for advanced manufacturing materials, including producing metal powders and filaments that meet the rigorous quality standards required for defence and aerospace applications.

At the MoU signing event in October, DICON Director-General Maj. Gen. Babatunde Alaya highlighted the importance of the DICON Act 2023 in facilitating the agreement. “This strategic alliance with RusselSmith is a monumental step in actualising the Military Industrial Complex. It is a direct outcome of the legal framework provided by the DICON Act 2023, and I commend President Bola Tinubu for assenting to this pivotal legislation,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Alaya also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian military for their guidance and support, emphasizing that the initiative promises to be a “game-changer for our national security architecture.”

RusselSmith CEO Kayode Adeleke reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to partner with DICON on this forward-looking initiative that strengthens Nigeria’s defence industrial base. This partnership will build local capacity for high-value manufacturing and enhance our ability to deliver quality, precision, and reliability through advanced 3D manufacturing technologies.”

Speaking to the press, DICON Public Relations Officer Maria Sambo described the MoU as a “significant stride towards technological self-reliance and the realisation of Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex,” aimed at advancing local production of additive materials for critical defence equipment.

In a related development, the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) in August called on the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to increase procurement of locally made defence equipment. DIAN Secretary-General Kola Balogun stated that consistent use of domestically manufactured military hardware would strengthen national security, create jobs, reduce youth idleness, and help close the recruitment gap for insurgent groups.