A memorandum of understanding (MoU) and joint venture between Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) was signed on Wednesday in Abuja.
The MoU and joint venture which also involved the ministry of steel development is for the establishment of ammunition production factory in Nigeria.
Recall, the ministry of defence is the supervising ministry for DICON.
Speaking at the occasion, the minister of state for Defence, Bello Matawalle applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing the young generation to take charge of critical sectors of the economy.
He told the audience of his pledge to President Tinubu on his resolve to turn around DICON for the benefit of the country.
“I made a promise to the president that DICON will export military capabilities.
“We have been traveling around and saw how local manufacturers are developing their countries”.
Continuing, Matawalle said “what we are doing is not for our own benefit, we need to leave legacy for future generations”.
He said when the joint venture and MoU become operational, Nigeria will be buying ammunition from DICON with local currency and reduce pressure on FOREX.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalid Halilu noted that the MoU marks a milestone in the quest for the production of military hardware in Nigeria.
Halilu said it is crucial for Nigeria to position itself for local production of ammunition.
“The MoU is a testament of innovation, that we are well position to create local production of ammunition”.
He added that the MoU represents the beginning of collaboration among government agencies, saying it will redefine Nigeria’s defence landscape.
Similarly, the minister of steel development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu said the event was an avenue to put “our security in our own hand”.
According to Audu, where the ministry of steel is involved is that Ajaokuta provide the steel complex.
He said the MoU has created a new vista in Nigeria.
