In a major move to enhance national security and ensure the protection of the country’s borders, Bello Matawalle, who serves as the Minister of State for Defence, has shared the significant need for ammunition within the Nigerian Armed Forces. He explained that the military requires an impressive two hundred million rounds of ammunition each year to effectively carry out its operations.
According to Matawalle, the cost for this large volume of ammunition will amount to at least two dollars for each round, placing a substantial financial responsibility on the Federal Government.
This announcement was made during a formal event in Abuja on Wednesday, where a key agreement was signed. The memorandum of understanding was established between the Ministry of Defence, represented through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI). This agreement marks the beginning of a crucial project to set up an ammunition production factory right here in Nigeria.
Matawalle took the opportunity to express his criticism of previous administrations, attributing the nation’s failure to become self-sufficient in producing military equipment to their lack of action and foresight.
Matawalle reassured Nigerians that the Defence Industries Corporation is committed to making significant strides in local manufacturing. He promised that within the next three years, the corporation will not only fulfill the country’s military needs but will also be able to export military equipment.
