The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is now collaborating with both international and local firms to enhance its production of arms and ammunition, according to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
Gen. Musa, represented by the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, made this announcement during a 5km Health Walk marking DICON’s 60th anniversary in Kaduna. He noted that these partnerships are aligned with the DICON Act 2023, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, which aims to foster the growth of indigenous companies within Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex.
“The 60th anniversary is significant, as DICON was established just four years after independence,” said Musa. “It is critical to pay tribute to the visionary leaders who recognized the necessity of establishing this vital corporation.”
Musa emphasized that the new DICON Act, which expands the corporation’s scope, highlights the presidential and legislative approval of the ongoing reform program led by the current Director-General.
“There is no stopping DICON now,” Musa stated. “They have entered into international and local partnerships to begin full-scale production of arms and ammunition. The Nigerian Defence Academy is already utilizing ammunition produced by DICON, and the Nigerian Army has also invested in purchasing arms and ammunition from the corporation.”
He further indicated that additional partnerships would be pursued to manufacture other military hardware, including armored vehicles, ships, tanks, aircraft, and other defense-related products.
“This will significantly conserve foreign exchange and generate income for the nation through exports,” Musa added. “The Federal Government will then have more resources to invest in other areas of national life, improving the livelihood and standard of living for all Nigerians.”
Reflecting on the significance of DICON’s achievements, Musa pointed out that arms manufacturing was once exclusive to the developed world, but now Nigeria is part of this crucial industry.
“DICON’s progress at 60 is a significant milestone not only for the corporation and the Nigerian armed forces but for the nation as a whole,” Musa declared. “There is no longer any stopping DICON.”
Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, the Director-General of DICON, also spoke during the event, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for signing the DICON Act 2023 into law.
“This act has given the corporation the robustness and impetus to greatly expand its production capabilities,” Edet said. “DICON, established as a national strategic asset, has much to celebrate at 60.”
Edet highlighted the corporation’s renewed mandate for self-sufficiency in producing for the armed forces and other security agencies, as well as the growing support from various stakeholders, including the Minister of Defence, the CDS, the service chiefs, and the heads of paramilitary institutions.
“The Inspector-General of Police has even indicated an interest in patronizing DICON,” Edet added.
He also noted that DICON is celebrating its strategic partnerships and commitment to innovation through modern technologies to meet the needs of the armed forces.
“We are also celebrating the fitness and well-being of our personnel, which is why we organized a five-kilometer walk,” Edet explained. “If our personnel are not physically and mentally fit, they cannot effectively carry out their duties.”
Edet concluded by emphasizing the need for DICON to refocus and adapt to current realities to encourage indigenous production, acknowledging the foresight of the corporation’s founders in establishing such a vital asset shortly after Nigeria’s independence
