A Nigerian defence technology startup, Terra Industries, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria to establish a joint venture company aimed at localising the production of advanced security systems. The proposed entity, which will operate as a subsidiary of DICON, is to be jointly promoted and owned by both organisations under a public private partnership framework.
The agreement comes amid growing security concerns across the country, with policy analysts repeatedly flagging structural gaps in intelligence and operational response. A 2024 brief by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research noted that while security agencies have recorded varying degrees of success, critical loopholes and capacity limitations remain. The Terra DICON collaboration is positioned as an effort to complement conventional security operations with locally engineered surveillance platforms and cybersecurity infrastructure.
Under the arrangement, the joint venture is expected to oversee assembly, research and development, and the training of security personnel in the deployment of high technology systems, including drones, robotics platforms, and specialised defence software. It is also projected to drive technology transfer, deepen local sourcing of materials, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to supply security equipment to domestic agencies while building export competitiveness within the region.
Chief Executive Officer and co founder of Terra Industries, Nathan Nwachuku, said the partnership reflects growing confidence in indigenous engineering capability and provides a pathway for sustainable defence innovation. The startup is expected to provide professional services, coordinate technical training, support procurement of production equipment, and leverage its supply chain relationships to attract both local and foreign capital into the venture. The move follows Terra’s recent capital raises totaling over 30 million dollars to scale manufacturing and accelerate deployments across Nigeria and allied African markets.
The agreement is being executed under the DICON Act 2023, which expanded the corporation’s authority to collaborate with private and foreign firms. In recent months, DICON has pursued a series of technical alliances as part of efforts to modernise its production base. While financial details and timelines for the Terra joint venture remain undisclosed, Director General of DICON, Major General B I Alaya, described the initiative as a transformational step toward reducing import dependence and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for advanced defence manufacturing and innovation.