NIGERIA has started selling arms and ammunition through the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to many African countries.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said this at the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja, on Monday, August 12, while addressing journalists on the activities lined up for the 60th anniversary of DICON and the launch of the maiden edition of the Africa Defence Industries conference.
According to Matawalle, the achievement was made possible through the recently passed DICON Act 2023, which has the potential to greatly increase Nigeria’s foreign exchange profits and contribute to both national security and development.
He assured that DICON could produce arms and ammunition for local and international use.
Additionally, Matawalle emphasised the government’s dedication to strengthening defence capabilities via innovative ideas, strategic alliances, and technical breakthroughs.
He reminded the gathering that the purpose of DICON’s establishment in 1964 was to guarantee that the defence industry contributed substantially to scientific advancement and national security.
“Today, DICON is celebrating 60 years of dedicated service in the production and repair of military hardware and equipment. Since its establishment, DICON has played a crucial role in Nigeria’s defence sector, collaborating with indigenous companies to achieve excellence in military manufacturing,” the minister stated.
He explained further that DICON started as a small organisation, concentrating on the production of small guns and ammunition. Over time, the company increased its capacity and started producing military vehicles, artillery, and other defence equipment.
President Bola Tinubu signed the DICON bill into law in November 2023.
Presidential spokesperson Anjuri Ngelale disclosed Tinubu’s assent to the bill in a statement.
According to Ngelale, the Corporation’s Law was first passed in 1964 and later amended in 2004 to become the DICON Act, included in chapter 94 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The ICIR reports that as claimed by the minister, Nigeria sells arms to other countries, even though it has faced insecurity for over a decade. Military chiefs have blamed inadequate arms, porous borders, arms proliferation, weak intelligence and poor welfare for the security forces as some of the reasons the crisis has lingered.
A reporter with the ICIR
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