The Federal Government says many African nations are now turning to Nigeria to produce high-tech military hardware.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, stated this at a news conference to herald NICON’s 60th anniversary.
He also said that the weapons produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), show the seriousness of the Ministry of Defence and the new DICON management under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
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According to Matawalle, 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 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.
“But when we assumed the mantle of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, we have been going up and down to ensure that DICON stands on its feet and to ensure the capacity and the capability of DICON so that we can be able to produce our own armaments; so that we can bring more investors, particularly the indigenous investors so that we should give them the right to do as it is happening around the world.
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“Now, most of the countries, not just the government, are partnering with this Indigenous defence industry for the production of high-tech military hardware.”
The minister added that the new DICON Act 2023 has the potential to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s development and national security.
He said that 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.
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