By Joy Odor
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle on Wednesday Informed that the establishment of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in 1964 was a bold and visionary step towards self-reliance in Nigeria’s defence capabilities, and has become a vital pillar of the national security.
The Minister who stated this is his address at the opening of DICON 60th anniversary celebration and Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference in Abuja to chart a new course for the future of Nigeria’s defence sector and the broader African continent.
He mentioned that over the past 60 years, DICON has made significant contributions to our nation’s defence architecture, providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of our military capabilities, saying, they take immense pride in the legacy of resilience and innovation.
Mattawalle affirmed that the recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu marks a turning point in the history of the defence sector which empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defence needs of the nation.
He said the threshold of the new era future holds greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria.
The Minister congratulating the dynamic leadership, management and the entire staff of DICON for working dedicatedly to reawaken the mandate of DICON.
“Today’s celebration also serves as the platform for the launch of DICON’s Vision and Strategy Road Map 2030.
“This strategic plan is aligned with the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and is designed to position DICON as a leader in defence innovation, not just in Nigeria but across the African continent.
“The roadmap outlines clear objectives for strengthening our national security, promoting sustainable development, and driving economic diversification through defence sector industrialization, digitization, and innovation.
“I am particularly excited about the launch of the Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference.
“This is a groundbreaking initiative that will bring together defence experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa and beyond.
“This conference is a testament to our commitment to fostering collaboration and exploring new frontiers in defence technology. Embedded within the Africa Defence Industries Conference is the Defence Innovation Challenge.
“The Challenge is an initiative designed to pull Nigeria’s young skilled talents together, stimulate and reward groundbreaking innovations in defence.
“This challenge, conceptualized by Kryterion Limited in partnership with DICON, will provide a platform for young innovators, startups, and research institutions to present their cutting-edge solutions to enhance national and regional security.
“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” he said.
Earlier in this speech, the Director General of DICON, Major General AE Edet explained that over the decades, DICON has evolved significantly, adapting to the dynamic landscapes of military technology and global defence trends and it’s focus was predominantly on the production of small arms and ammunition, meeting the critical needs of the military and other security agencies.
“However, as the threats facing our nation and region became more complex and contemporary, so too has the interpretation of our mandate. In the 21st century, our projects have become more diverse, encompassing not only military products but also ventures into civilian applications that leverage our technological capabilities.
“The theme of this conference “Future Frontiers in Africa’s Defence Technology”, challenges us to reflect on our collective journey, to innovate, and to strengthen the ties that bind us in our common pursuit of building a DICON that will guarantee self-sufficiency in the equipment needs of our Armed Forces, and other security agencies in Nigeria.
“The events lined up for today will broaden our insights and perspectives into how DICON, as Nigeria’s flagship defence manufacturer, contributes to this narrative – not only within the borders of Nigeria, but as a beacon of innovation and partnership across the African continent and beyond.
“The challenges before us demand cooperation, creativity, and courage; qualities that define our gathered assembly and our collective endeavours in aerospace and defence.
“At DICON, we are proud of our past but relentlessly focused on our future. We are building a future where we continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing the defence capabilities not just of Nigeria, but of Africa and beyond. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and collaboration to ensure our collective security and prosperity” he noted.
Declaring the Conference open, President Bola Tinubu said the speedy growth of DICON and Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex motivated to invest substantially in DICON to ensure it delivers on its mandate efficiently within the 2030 roadmap timeframe.
According to Tinubu, the upgraded capabilities emerging from the strategy will significantly enhance our defence infrastructure, ensuring peace and prosperity for the 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.
“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” President stated.
