To Spend N41 Billion on Arms by 2025 | DICON Exported Ammunition to Africa in 2024 | Tinubu Reaffirms Armed Forces as National Security Cornerstone
Six decades after the establishment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in 1964, the country remains heavily reliant on imported military hardware, including arms and ammunition.
In the proposed 2025 budget, the Nigerian Military allocated ₦25.59 billion for arms procurement and ₦16.13 billion for protective kits, such as uniforms, helmets, and ballistic vests. This is in addition to budgetary provisions for aircraft, vehicle fuel, and logistics.
Interestingly, DICON reportedly exported arms and ammunition to African nations in 2024, while the 2025 budget includes ₦30 million for the establishment of a military-industrial complex.
Budget Highlights
Ministry of Defence: ₦2.95 billion for personnel costs, ₦774 million for overheads, and ₦4.2 billion for capital expenditures.
Defence Headquarters: ₦2.09 billion for arms procurement and ₦1.85 billion for military kits.
Nigerian Army: ₦16.11 billion for training, with ₦6.18 billion allocated for local training and ₦9.93 billion for international training.
Nigerian Navy: ₦15.09 billion for fuel and lubricants, and ₦2.35 billion for aircraft fuel.
Nigerian Air Force: ₦6.75 billion for training, ₦4.61 billion for security operations, and ₦5.25 billion for uniforms.
DICON’s Proposals
The 2025 appropriation bill allocated ₦7.94 billion to DICON, including:
₦295.8 million for raw materials for weapons production.
₦292.6 million for tools for ammunition manufacturing.
₦316.4 million for fire hydrants installation at the Ordnance factory.
₦114.2 million for constructing a blast-proof explosive research lab.
Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Armed Forces
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the Armed Forces as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s national security.
Represented by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day dinner, Tinubu emphasized his administration’s dedication to improving military welfare and equipping them to address evolving security challenges.
He commended service personnel for their professionalism and urged citizens to support the military and strengthen national unity.
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