The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has reassured the nation that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) will effectively meet the needs 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 on Friday in Kaduna.
He emphasized that the recent signing of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu has paved the way for the corporation to enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities. According to Matawalle, the defence ministry has given significant tasks to DICON’s Director-General, who is well-equipped to meet these challenges.
“Within a short period, we will celebrate the full production of arms within the country,” Matawalle promised, further noting the ministry’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign procurements.
Matawalle explained that in the past, Nigeria had spent money abroad to meet its military needs, which not only strained the national economy but also contributed to currency devaluation. However, he expressed optimism that DICON’s growing capacity, under the leadership of its Director-General, is changing this narrative.
He added, “Any requirements of the military or other security agencies now have to come to DICON for supply,” highlighting the corporation’s growing role in self-sufficiency for Nigeria’s military hardware needs.
Matawalle revealed ambitious plans for DICON, including producing 300 million rounds of ammunition and expanding the production of military equipment such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
“We never believed that DICON could produce 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Today, DICON is producing thousands of rounds for the military,” he said, noting that in just three to four months, the corporation would be able to fully meet the needs of the military and other security agencies.
The Minister also spoke on the importance of the end-of-year celebration, noting that such events are meant to motivate staff and recognize their hard work. He commended DICON’s Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Anaedi Edet, and the entire workforce for their dedication.
In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Edet spoke about the corporation’s evolution, emphasizing DICON’s transition from producing small arms and ammunition to expanding into more sophisticated military technologies. He also highlighted the corporation’s role in fostering technological advancements and industrial development in Nigeria.
While acknowledging DICON’s progress, Edet outlined challenges such as funding constraints, outdated equipment, and the need for staff training. However, he assured that the corporation is focused on overcoming these challenges and increasing its capabilities.
“Our ‘All DICON factories must produce’ initiative is a call to action for all employees and stakeholders,” Edet added. He also expressed DICON’s commitment to securing new funding, modernizing production lines, and investing in workforce development.
The event concluded with a recognition of exceptional staff members who contributed to DICON’s successes in 2024. Both Matawalle and Edet reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate to enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities and ensure national security.
