So as to boost local armaments production, the Nigerian Federal Government has given the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) about ₦7.94 billion in the 2025 Appropriations Bill. DICON was founded in 1963 with the goal of producing weapons domestically, but it has encountered difficulties, and Nigeria is still mostly dependent on imports. Over the course of multiple administrations, efforts have been made to restructure the company, but the outcomes have been mixed. The government imported ₦115 billion worth of weapons in the first quarter of 2023, while it spent ₦63.6 billion on military hardware between January and July 2024.
₦4.21 billion for capital projects targeted at modernising DICON facilities, ₦774 million for overhead, and ₦2.96 billion for personnel are all included in the 2025 budget. These initiatives include purchasing raw materials (₦295.8 million), renovating explosive industrial buildings (₦150 million), and fixing old electrical equipment (₦148 million). ₦498.5 million has also been set aside for an alternate power source, ₦257.97 million for the renovation of access roads, and ₦281.9 million for Security upgrades. ₦161.16 million for an effluent plant and ₦114.3 million for a blast-proof laboratory are two other noteworthy donations.
Nigeria’s efforts to produce weapons differ from other nations.
When the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) was first founded in 1964, its primary purpose was to manufacture ammunition and small arms to meet Nigeria’s military requirements. To fulfil the demands of the war, DICON greatly expanded its output during the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, making a substantial contribution to the country’s defence operations. Nevertheless, DICON encountered difficulties in the years following the conflict, such as irregular financing, antiquated technology, and rivalry from regional manufacturers of handcrafted weapons. Due to these challenges, the company was unable to continue producing weapons on a big scale. As a result, it diversified into civilian markets by Manufacturing industrial spare parts and rural water supply equipment.
There have been attempts to revive DICON in recent years. Notably, the company and the Nigerian Army jointly revealed the Ezugwu Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle in 2019, which was a major accomplishment for domestic defence production. Nigeria’s efforts to produce weapons differ significantly from those of nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa that have comparable security concerns and expenditures. Because of their strong military-industrial complexes, these countries are able to manufacture a variety of defence equipment in-house. Brazil’s Embraer, for example, builds military aircraft, and India’s Ordnance Factory Board produces a range of weaponry and ammunition.
Results from previous attempts to revive DICON have been inconsistent.
Advanced defence technologies are a hallmark of Denel, a company based in South Africa. On the other hand, Nigeria’s DICON has had difficulty reaching comparable production and Technology levels, primarily as a result of irregular funding and dependence on imports. Nigeria’s economic independence and National Security depend on DICON’s revival, according to security experts. Recent attempts to revitalise DICON, which aims to increase defence manufacturing self-sufficiency and lessen dependency on foreign arms imports, have been greatly aided by Dr. Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence.
It is anticipated that Nigeria’s military readiness will be improved by modernising industrial facilities and lowering reliance on foreign arms suppliers thanks to the recent ₦7.94 billion grant to DICON in the 2025 Appropriations Bill. Significant economic advantages could result from this action, such as the growth of regional industry and the creation of jobs. Results from previous attempts to revive DICON have been inconsistent. Although there have been efforts to increase manufacturing capacity, obstacles like insufficient Finance and managerial problems have frequently prevented advancement.
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With demands for increased accountability and transparency in resource use, the efficacy of allotted monies has been questioned. Workers and communities connected to DICON have encountered the advantages and difficulties of the company’s activities. Economic activity and job prospects in the surrounding areas have surged during times of high output. On the other hand, Productivity declines have caused these communities to face economic difficulties and job insecurity. Employees have greeted the current efforts to revitalise DICON with cautious optimism, hoping for stability and continued growth.