Tinubu Signs DICON Bill
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill, 2023 into law.
Established on August 1, 1964, by an Act of Parliament, and later revised as the DICON Act in Chapter 94 of the Laws of the Federation, 2004, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria has undergone significant legislative changes with the enactment of the new bill.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2023, replaces the previous iteration and grants expanded powers to DICON, allowing it to operate, maintain, and control subsidiaries and ordnance factories. These facilities are authorized to manufacture, store, and dispose of ordnance, as well as ancillary stores and materials.
The new legislation establishes the Defence Industry Technology, Research, and Development Institute (DITRDI). This institute aims to build a robust scientific and research-based technological foundation for Nigeria’s defence industry.
It will leverage combined, multi-disciplinary research from various military institutes to drive innovation, commercialization, and the development of new military technology and capacity within the country.
Also, the act introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for overseeing the manufacturing, distribution, storage, and disposal of defence articles in Nigeria. This step is crucial in ensuring accountability and adherence to standards within the defence sector.
According to Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, 2023, was championed by Babajimi Benson, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, representing the APC in the Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
