Matawalle: DICON Set to Produce 300 Million Rounds of Ammunition by 2026
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed confidence that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) will meet the growing demands of the military and other security agencies. Speaking at DICON’s end-of-year celebration and the Director-General’s Productivity Award ceremony in Kaduna, Matawalle emphasized that the recent signing of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu had paved the way for a stronger defense industry.
Matawalle outlined that the defence ministry had tasked DICON with several responsibilities, noting that under the leadership of the Director-General, DICON was equipped to handle them. He promised that within a limited time frame, Nigeria would be celebrating the full production of arms domestically.
The minister highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on foreign arms procurement, which often devalues Nigeria’s currency. He stressed that with DICON’s strengthened capacity, the country was now poised to produce more of its military equipment and ammunition locally.
“Previously, we sent our money abroad, devaluing our currency and contributing to the rise of the dollar. Today, with the leadership of DICON’s director-general, we are seeing significant progress,” Matawalle said.
DICON is expected to ramp up its production of arms and ammunition, with a target of producing 300 million rounds of ammunition. In addition to this, the corporation is also working on producing other vital military equipment, such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which are crucial for both military and paramilitary forces.
Matawalle assured Nigerians that within three to four months, DICON would meet the security sector’s requirements, enhancing the country’s self-sufficiency in defense production.
Speaking at the event, DICON’s Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Anaedi Edet, praised the corporation’s 2024 accomplishments, noting that DICON had overcome significant challenges, including funding shortages, outdated equipment, and skill gaps. He stressed the importance of investing in modern production lines and training the workforce to address these issues.
Edet also emphasized that DICON’s mandate was not only about strengthening the military but also about advancing technological capabilities and fostering industrial development in Nigeria. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Matawalle and the Ministry of Defence, which had enabled DICON to move forward despite obstacles.
As part of the celebrations, DICON honored its outstanding staff members for their dedication and hard work in achieving the corporation’s successes over the past year. Edet reaffirmed DICON’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate and contributing to the nation’s defense and technological progress.
