By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
In a bid to outline the achievements of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) at 60, President Bola Tinubu said the lofty steps taken by his administration would bring Nigeria closer to the rest of the world, and significantly impact current efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in our country.
Speaking on Wednesday during the commemoration of DICON 60th anniversary, the president noted that national security remains a top priority of his administration.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SGF), George Akume, Tinubu said, the contemporary security challenges in the country require tying into the concept of the Whole of Government and Society Approach to resolve them decisively.
“With the signing of the DICON Act 2023, we mark a new era for DICON, positioning it as the arrowhead of our Military Industrial Complex, providing a robust framework to drive our strategic objectives in defence manufacturing and technology and supporting the modernisation of our Armed Forces to address national and subre-gional security challenges.
“As we celebrate this diamond jubilee, we also embrace a renewed vision for the future, aligned with our administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” The DICON Evolution Strategy and Road Map 2030, based on the DICON Act 2023 that we launch today, aims to bridge performance gaps in our Military Industrial Complex and reposition DICON as a global player, as was long envisaged by our founding fathers.
“This strategy aligns primarily with two key priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda: strengthening national security and accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, manufacturing, and innovation. Industrialisation and innovation, as we all know, are capital-intensive ventures but necessary for the growth of any nation. To this end, my administration will invest substantially in DICON to ensure it delivers on its mandate efficiently within the 2030 roadmap timeframe. The upgraded capabilities emerging from this strategy will significantly enhance our defence infrastructure, ensuring peace and prosperity for our nation.
“The newly automated production lines for various categories of ammunition, Mine Resistant Ambush Patrol Vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carrier, drones, and unmanned ground vehicles, for instance, will provide our armed forces with advanced equipment tailored to our contemporary challenges providing our troops with the required advantage over our adversaries. Introducing the BAT A-1 Specialised Assault Rifle and its production line will address small arms proliferation issues while equipping our security operatives with modern fighting capabilities. The proposed state-of-the-art micro motherboard processing facility will be the backbone of robotics and artificial intelligence innovations, leveraging resources from our newly inaugurated lithium development plant in Nasarawa State. Expanding our production capabilities and enhancing our research and development efforts will create jobs, develop human capital, and stimulate economic growth. Establishing a tech hub and R&D lab in Abuja will provide the enabling environment and attract young talent to foster a culture of Innovation, driving Nigeria’s defence industry forward.
“As we march into the future, international collaborations will play a vital role in our success. The Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference, which I am honoured to declare open today, is a platform for forging strategic partnerships to enhance our capabilities and promote regional security. I invite our international partners to join us as we work together to build a safer and more prosperous Africa.”
He added that DICON’s journey over the past sixty years is a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to national service.
“As we embark on the next chapter, I call on all stakeholders, our armed forces, industry partners, and the international community, to support and participate in implementing the DICON Evolution Strategy and Road Map 2030.”
Also speaking, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle said over the past 60 years, DICON has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s defence architecture, providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of military capabilities.
“As we stand on the threshold of a new era, it is clear that the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria. The recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, marks a turning point in the history of our defence sector. This new legal framework empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defence needs of our nation.
“As we move forward into the future, it is imperative that we all work together; government, industry, academia, and the private sector, to realize the ambitious goals set out in the soon-to-be-launched Vision and Strategy Road Map 2030. Today, the challenges we face are complex, but with unity, determination, and innovation, we can overcome them and build a stronger, more self-reliant defence sector that will be a source of pride for Nigeria and a model for other nations.”
