President Bola Tinubu has directed the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to begin the mass production of offensive assault rifles for the Armed Forces, named BAT-1. He added that DICON holds the most significant market potential in Africa and has been repositioned to leverage the vast opportunities in the private sector to pursue innovations and technologies that will boost indigenous defense production.
Tinubu emphasized that expanding DICON’s production capabilities and enhancing research and development efforts will create jobs, develop human capital, and stimulate economic growth.
He noted, “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.”
Speaking at DICON’s 60th anniversary and the inaugural Africa Defence Industries Conference in Abuja, Tinubu said, “My passion for the rapid growth of DICON and Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex motivated me to sign the DICON Act 2023 into law within my first six months in office.
“Industrialization and innovation are capital-intensive but essential for the growth of any nation. Therefore, my administration will invest substantially in DICON to ensure it delivers on its mandate effectively within the 2030 roadmap timeframe. The upgraded capabilities emerging from this strategy will significantly enhance our defense infrastructure, ensuring peace and prosperity for our nation.“
The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, added, “The right environment has been created for DICON to be equipped with modern automated production lines and systems. The newly automated production lines, for various categories of ammunition, Mine Resistant Ambush Patrol Vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers, drones, and unmanned ground vehicles, will provide our armed forces with advanced equipment tailored to contemporary challenges, giving our troops a crucial advantage over adversaries.
“Introducing the BAT A-1 Specialized Assault Rifle and its production line will address small arms proliferation while equipping our security forces with modern combat capabilities. Establishing a tech hub and R&D lab in Abuja will attract young talent and foster a culture of innovation, propelling Nigeria’s defense industry forward.”
Tinubu continued, “I am pleased with the progress toward establishing our first uncrewed aerial and land vehicle automated production lines. These steps will bring us closer to global standards and significantly impact our efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in our country.”
The president reiterated, “National security remains a top priority of my administration. The contemporary security challenges we face as a nation require adopting a Whole of Government and Society Approach to resolve them decisively. With the signing of the DICON Act 2023, we are entering a new era for DICON, positioning it as the spearhead of our Military Industrial Complex. This will provide a robust framework to drive our strategic objectives in defense manufacturing and technology, supporting the modernization of our Armed Forces to address national and sub-regional security challenges.
“As we celebrate this diamond jubilee, we also embrace a renewed vision for the future, aligned with our administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ The DICON Evolution Strategy and Roadmap 2030, based on the DICON Act 2023 that we launch today, aims to bridge performance gaps in our Military Industrial Complex and reposition DICON as a global player, as envisioned by our founding fathers. This strategy aligns with two key priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda: strengthening national security and accelerating economic diversification through industrialization, digitization, manufacturing, and innovation.”
He added that the maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference “is a platform for forging strategic partnerships to enhance our capabilities and promote regional security.” Tinubu invited “our international partners to join us as we work together to build a safer and more prosperous Africa.”
“DICON’s journey over the past sixty years is a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to national service. As we embark on the next chapter, I call on all stakeholders—our armed forces, industry partners, and the international community—to support and participate in implementing the DICON Evolution Strategy and Roadmap 2030.”
In his opening remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, said, “The establishment of DICON in 1964 was a bold and visionary step towards self-reliance in Nigeria’s defense capabilities. It has since become a vital pillar of our national security. Over the past 60 years, DICON has made significant contributions to our nation’s defense architecture, providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of our military capabilities. We take immense pride in this legacy of resilience and innovation.”
Matawalle added, “As we stand on the threshold of a new era, the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and the transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria. The recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a turning point in our defense sector. This new legal framework empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defense needs of our nation. This strategic plan, aligned with the President’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ is designed to position DICON as a leader in defense innovation, not just in Nigeria but across Africa. The roadmap outlines clear objectives for strengthening national security, promoting sustainable development, and driving economic diversification through defense sector industrialization, digitization, and innovation.”
Dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa; Service Chiefs; former Chiefs of Defence Staff; former Service Chiefs; and Commandants of Military/Tri-Service Institutions, among others.
