President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the mass production of BAT-1 Specialised Assault Rifle being produced by Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), saying that the institution 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.”
Tinubu, who spoke at the 60th anniversary of DICON and the Inaugural Africa Defence Industries Conference in Abuja, said: “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.
“Industrialisation 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 President, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, added: “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.
“Establishing a tech hub and R&D lab in Abuja will provide the enabling environment and attract young talent to foster a culture of Innovation, driving Nigeria’s defence industry forward”.
Tinubu continued, “I am happy to see the progress towards establishing our first uncrewed or unmanned aerial and land vehicle automated production lines.
“These lofty steps would indeed bring us closer to the rest of the world, and no doubt significantly impact our current efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in our country.
Noting that, “National security remains a top priority of my administration” he said, “The contemporary security challenges we face as a nation require tying into the concept of the Whole of Government and Society Approach to resolve them decisively.
“With the signing of the DICON Act 2023, we mark a new era for DICON, positioning it as the arrowhead of our Military Industrial Complex, providing a robust framework to drive our strategic objectives in defence manufacturing and technology and supporting the modernisation of our Armed Forces to address national and subre-gional 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 Road Map 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 was long envisaged by our founding fathers.
“This strategy aligns primarily with two key priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda: strengthening national security and accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation, 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 even as he 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 Road Map 2030.”
Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle said in his opening remarks that “the establishment of DICON in 1964 was a bold and visionary step towards self-reliance in Nigeria’s defence capabilities, and 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 defence architecture, providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of our military capabilities. Therefore, we take immense pride in this legacy of resilience and innovation.
“However, as we stand on the threshold of a new era, it is clear that the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria.
The recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marks a turning point in the history of our defence sector. This new legal framework empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defence needs of our nation.
“However, as we stand on the threshold of a new era, it is clear that the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria.”
“This strategic plan is aligned with the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and is designed to position DICON as a leader in defence innovation, not just in Nigeria but across the African continent.
“The roadmap outlines clear objectives for strengthening our national security, promoting sustainable development, and driving economic diversification through defence sector industrialization, digitization, and innovation.”
Dignitaries at the occasion included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Service Chiefs, former Chiefs of Defence Staff, former Service Chiefs, Commandants of Military/Tri-Service Institutions among others.