Defense Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Local Defence Manufacturing During DICON Visit

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters to strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity during a strategic visit to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Ordnance Factory in Kakuri, Kaduna.

The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to boost local production of military hardware, enhance self-reliance and improve logistics support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

During the visit, the Director-General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, briefed the Chief on the corporation’s manufacturing capabilities, ongoing projects and future development plans. General Oluyede also toured key production facilities and inspected the corporation’s research and development units, where several locally developed defence products were showcased.

Speaking during the tour, the CDS commended DICON’s management and workforce for their commitment to advancing indigenous defence technology and manufacturing. He described the Federal Government’s renewed focus on local defence production as critical to enhancing operational readiness, reducing dependence on imported military equipment, conserving foreign exchange and ensuring sustainable support for military operations.

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General Oluyede reaffirmed the Defence Headquarters’ support for DICON’s transformation into a world-class defence manufacturing institution capable of meeting the operational needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.

He stressed that expanding local defence production remains a strategic priority in building a resilient, technologically advanced and self-sufficient military.

He said the Armed Forces would continue to promote innovation and support indigenous research and development to achieve Nigeria’s defence industrialisation objectives.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General OT Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General ASM Wase, and other senior military officers.