Why I signed DICON Act within six months — Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday explained that his passion to see the speedy growth of the nation’s Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex motivated him to sign the DICON Act 2023 into law within his first six months in office.
Speaking in Abuja at the 60th anniversary of the DICON and the inaugural Africa Defence Industries Conference, President Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume pointed out that the
The Corporation has the most significant market potential in Africa and has been repositioned to leverage the vast potential of the private sector to pursue innovations and technologies “that will ramp up our indigenous defence productions”.
According to him, “My passion to see the speedy 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, as we all know, are capital-intensive ventures but necessary for the growth of any nation. To this end, my administration will invest substantially in DICON to ensure it delivers on its mandate efficiently within the 2030 roadmap timeframe.
“The upgraded capabilities emerging from this strategy will significantly enhance our defence infrastructure, ensuring peace and prosperity for our nation.
“The right environment has thus been created for DICON to be equipped with modern automated production lines and production systems.
“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.
