Minister Bello Matawalle assures that DICON will meet military and security agency demands with local arms production, following the recent passage of the DICON Act 2023
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has reiterated the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria’s (DICON) capacity to meet the military and security agencies’ requirements for arms and ammunition.
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Speaking during DICON’s end-of-year celebration and Director-General’s Productivity Award ceremony in Kaduna, Matawalle highlighted the significance of the recently assented DICON Act 2023, which he believes will strengthen Nigeria’s defense industry.
Matawalle assured that DICON, under the leadership of its Director-General, was committed to producing military equipment locally, including ammunition and armored vehicles, thus limiting the country’s reliance on foreign suppliers.
He stressed that the corporation is set to reach its target of producing 300 million rounds of ammunition, along with other essential military equipment such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
The minister noted that prior to the corporation’s progress, Nigeria had spent significant amounts abroad to meet military needs, which had negatively impacted the national currency.
However, Matawalle emphasized that DICON’s recent strides in arms production and technological innovation would help curb this trend, stating that within three to four months, the corporation would be able to meet the full demands of the military and security agencies.
DICON’s Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Anaedi Edet, also spoke at the event, reiterating the corporation’s focus on self-reliance in defense and technology.
Edet acknowledged the significant progress DICON had made in meeting the evolving needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces, despite challenges such as funding constraints, outdated equipment, and skills gaps.
Looking forward, both Matawalle and Edet expressed confidence that DICON would overcome these hurdles with a clear vision for the future.
The corporation is focused on securing new funding opportunities, modernising its production lines, and prioritising staff training to ensure continued success in its mission to equip Nigeria’s security forces with locally made military hardware.
