Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, on Tuesday presided over the inaugural board meeting of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), marking a significant step toward revitalizing the nation’s defense manufacturing sector.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, followed the enactment of the DICON Act 2023 signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September 2023.
The legislation aims to modernize and expand DICON’s operations, furthering Nigeria’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in defense production.
DICON, established in 1964, is tasked with producing essential military hardware, including small arms, ammunition, and armored vehicles.
The board meeting brought together top military officials, service chiefs, and representatives, including those from the Nigeria Police Force, to discuss strategies for enhancing DICON’s role in national security.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Matawalle underscored DICON’s central role in Nigeria’s defense infrastructure. “All DICON factories must produce.
This is the strategic path towards achieving the vision of self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing,” he said. “Our collective efforts will maximize DICON’s potential to meet the needs of the Armed Forces and contribute to economic development.”
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the importance of partnerships with local industries to foster job creation, reduce unemployment, and enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities.
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to supporting DICON as a critical component of Nigeria’s military industrial complex.
Following the meeting, Dr. Matawalle inspected locally manufactured Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (M-RAP) vehicles and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) produced by E-PAIL Nigeria, a private partner.
The vehicles, presented by E-PAIL Chairman Engr. Kola Balogun, demonstrated the growing involvement of indigenous industries in strengthening Nigeria’s defense technology.
DICON’s expanded mandate under the new law aligns with Nigeria’s goals of reducing dependency on foreign arms imports, enhancing national security, and fostering industrial growth.
Recent advancements, such as the production of armored vehicles and personnel carriers, reflect the corporation’s increasing role in Africa’s defense manufacturing landscape.
The board meeting marks a pivotal moment for DICON as it strives to modernize operations and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term vision of self-reliance in defense production.