The Federal Government says many African nations are now turning to Nigeria to produce high-tech military hardware.
The weapons produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), according to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, show the seriousness of the Ministry of Defence and the new DICON management under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Mr Matawalle added that the patronage by African countries was capable of “boosting foreign exchange earnings by the country, creating jobs for skilled Nigerians and reducing capital flight.
The minister also told reporters at a news conference to herald NICON’s 60th anniversary, that over 150 other foreign nationals would exhibit their capability and capacity during the maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
Matawalle said: “ We want to change the narrative of DICON. Many people have been asking me at 60 years old, what has DICON done? What are we doing? That we are buying foreign equipment, foreign ammunition, and other armaments that DICON cannot yet produce.
The minister said the new DICON Act 2023 has the potential to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s development and national security.
The minister said since the establishment of DICON in 1964, the corporation has played a significant role in Nigeria’s defence sector, “collaborating with Indigenous companies to achieve excellence in military manufacturing.”
