The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), a think tank, has encouraged the federal government to make domestic armaments production a top priority, with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) leading the way.
The think tank’s Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, signed a policy statement yesterday that told President Bola Tinubu’s government to make sure DICON gets financing and to work with countries like Turkey and Israel to fill up gaps in knowledge.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), which was set up in 1964, should be the main source of self-reliance. Instead, it is being held back by a lack of money and too much red tape.
The OBJ-006 gun, which is supposed to stand for self-sufficiency, still needs parts from other countries. Compare this to South Africa’s Paramount Group, which makes armored vehicles for markets all around the world, or Turkey’s expanding drone business.
“Nigeria has the resources; what it lacks is the political will.” Companies like Proforce already make vehicles that can withstand mines, but the military still buys pricey, refurbished equipment from shady intermediaries. The $500 million purchase for old Puma helicopters in 2014, which was tainted by corruption, shows how flawed the system may be.
“Nigeria needs to put local arms production first.” DICON needs money and help from tech-savvy countries like Turkey or Israel to fill in the gaps in its knowledge.
The think tank says that the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) also has what it takes to help Nigeria’s drone technology move forward. It has a team of skilled engineers and researchers who are already working on designing and building drones for military, civilian, and scientific purposes.
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