The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has assured that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is set to meet the demands of the military and other security agencies.
Matawalle made this statement during DICON’s end-of-year celebration and Director-General’s Productivity Award ceremony held on Friday in Kaduna. He noted that the signing of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu had created opportunities for strengthening Nigeria’s defence sector.
He also pointed out that the Ministry of Defence had given several tasks to DICON’s Director-General, expressing confidence in his ability to handle them effectively. The minister assured that soon, Nigeria would be able to celebrate full-scale arms production within the country.
Matawalle further stated that the government is working to reduce dependence on foreign arms procurement. He noted that with the newly implemented DICON Act 2023, the corporation is now operating more efficiently.
“Any requirements of the military or other security agencies have to come to DICON for supply,” Matawalle said.
He explained that in the past, Nigeria spent large sums on foreign arms procurement, which affected the nation’s economy by increasing the value of the dollar. However, he expressed optimism that under the leadership of DICON’s Director-General, significant improvements were already visible.
The minister revealed that DICON is expected to reach its highest potential in supplying military and paramilitary equipment, especially in the production of arms and ammunition. He admitted that he had initially doubted DICON’s ability to produce 10,000 rounds of ammunition but was now convinced of its progress.
“Today, DICON is able to produce so many rounds of ammunition and forward to the military. Our target is to produce 300 million rounds of ammunition.
“We will also be producing other military equipment like MRAPs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and other equipment for the military and paramilitary agencies,” he added.
Matawalle assured Nigerians that in the next three to four months, DICON would meet the military’s demands.
He also stated that the end-of-year celebration and productivity awards should be an annual event to encourage and motivate staff members. He commended DICON’s Director-General, management team, and workers for their dedication and hard work.
Earlier, DICON’s Director-General, Major General Anaedi Edet, said the event was organized to celebrate the corporation’s achievements in 2024. He explained that DICON was created with a mandate to support the Nigerian Armed Forces by ensuring self-sufficiency in essential military equipment.
Edet noted that DICON’s role is not just limited to defence but also contributes to technological advancement and industrial growth in Nigeria. Over the years, he said, the corporation had evolved to meet the changing needs of the armed forces.
“Initially focused on the production of small arms and ammunition, we adapted to address the increasingly complex and contemporary threats facing our nation.
“As the landscape of defence technology and industry expanded, so too did our scope, including venturing into civilian applications that leverage our technological capabilities,” he said.
Despite its successes, Edet acknowledged that DICON still faces challenges such as limited funding, outdated equipment, and the need for workforce training and certification.
He, however, reassured that efforts were being made to secure new funding, modernize production lines, and enhance staff training.
“With a clear vision and dedicated team, DICON is well-positioned to overcome these challenges and achieve even greater success.
“Our ‘All DICON factories must produce’ initiative reflects our commitment to technological innovation and collaboration for the security and prosperity of our nation.
“The DICON end-of-year celebration is not just an occasion to reflect on our achievements but also a call to action for all employees and stakeholders,” he said.
The Director-General added that the event also served as an opportunity to recognize and reward outstanding employees for their contributions in 2024.
He assured that DICON remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
