The Federal Government of Nigeria has mandated that all government organizations and agencies procure military hardware from the Defence Industry Corporation (DICON) in Kaduna. This directive is intended to bolster Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and promote local production of defense equipment.
At a news conference in Abuja marking the 60th anniversary of DICON, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Ibrahim Kana stated, “The new DICON Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu mandates government agencies to look inward for military hardware procurement to contribute to Nigeria’s national development and national security.”
Kana elaborated, “Such patronage is capable of boosting foreign exchange earnings through local production of defence equipment, in addition to creating jobs for skilled Nigerians and reducing capital flight to foreign nations.”
The new policy permits procurement from abroad only when the desired hardware is unavailable at DICON.
