Senator Natasha Akpoti, Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, has emphasised the need for a complete shift to local manufacturing of military kits during a recent interactive session on the 2024 budget between the Senate Committee on Defence and Defence Headquarters.
In her inquiry, Senator Akpoti questioned the origin of military uniforms and gear, pressing for clarity on whether these items were locally produced or imported.
She stressed the importance of harnessing Nigerian industries to produce military attire, citing domestic job creation and revenue generation potential.
Specifically, she recommended leveraging the tailoring expertise of the Ebira people in Kogi Central for uniform manufacturing.
Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru responded by acknowledging the armed forces’ budget provisions for uniforms and disclosed plans to revamp the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to produce military attire and boots locally.
Badaru highlighted existing local companies manufacturing protective gear and emphasised the government’s intentions to modernise DICON’s facilities.
”These discussions align with recent legislative developments, notably President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill, 2023.
”The bill empowers DICON to oversee ordnance factories and establish the Defence Industry Technology, Research, and Development Institute (DITRDI).
”Additionally, a $1 billion deal with India was approved to modernise DICON’s facilities and boost local production of defence equipment, aiming to achieve a 40% local production target by 2027,” he added.
