The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that several African countries are now purchasing arms and ammunition from the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Established in 1964 to enhance Nigeria’s security by producing weapons domestically, DICON has expanded its production capabilities over the years, now including military vehicles, artillery, and various defense equipment.
Despite Nigeria’s historical reliance on foreign arms suppliers, Matawalle emphasized that DICON has the capacity to meet the needs of both domestic and international clients. The corporation’s evolution, coupled with the newly enacted DICON Act 2023, aims to boost Nigeria’s self-reliance, reduce capital flight, and increase foreign exchange earnings through local production.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Abubakar Kana, further highlighted that Nigeria is set to cease the importation of 7.62mm ammunition within the next two years, as DICON gears up to meet the country’s full demand for such munitions. The Nigerian government has also mandated all agencies to prioritize procuring arms from DICON to strengthen local production efforts.
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