The Nigerian Armed Forces, paramilitary units, and police require 350 million rounds of ammunition annually for effective operations, according to Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
The minister emphasized the need for self-sufficiency in defense production during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a weapon production plant in Abuja. The MoU was signed between the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, service chiefs, and heads of security agencies.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also explained his prompt signing of the DICON Bill, driven by his vision for self-reliance in defense production. At the 60th anniversary of DICON and the inaugural African Defence Industries Conference in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted the need for Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in military hardware. He praised DICON as a key component of Nigeria’s military-industrial complex, producing essential ammunition and equipment for the country’s military and security forces.
Matawalle remarked that if previous administrations had prioritized self-sufficiency, Nigeria might now be exporting its military capabilities. He noted, “We have observed how other countries are advancing through local manufacturing. Unfortunately, Nigeria has lagged behind for 60 years, but that is changing. I assure Mr. President that by the end of his term, DICON will be exporting its military capabilities.”