Written by Kingsley Omonobi
In order to strengthen counterterrorism and anti-banditry activities, the Federal Government said on Thursday that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and regional companies that produce military hardware, equipment, and vehicles would continue their relationship.
Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, said this during the launching of
Along with a variety of civilian armored vehicles created and manufactured in Nigeria, the Daikon X-Shield Light Tactical Armored Vehicle will soon be used in military operations against diverse security threats.
“X-Shield has demonstrated exceptional expertise, spanning advanced vehicle armour, ballistic engineering, systems integration, quality assurance, and lifecycle maintenance, in a sector where position, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable,” the minister stated on behalf of Major General Babatunde Alaya, Director General of DICON.
It is difficult to gain these skills. They are the result of years of concentrated effort, ongoing education, and unwavering adherence to standards.
“The depth of competence is reflected in the cars we are unveiling today. It is affordable and appropriate for local production and sustainability while taking into account the realities of contemporary operations, such as mobility, protection, adaptability, and survivability.
“X-Shield’s work in the civilian armoured vehicle space, addressing the growing demand for protected mobility by government institutions, private sector operators, very important persons, and high-risk professionals, is equally commendable,” he stated.
According to him, DICON’s collaboration with X-Shield is an example of how public institutions and private sector work together to produce value that is economically feasible, operationally relevant, and advantageous to the country.
“There are several benefits to this collaboration. Nigeria’s defense industry is strengthened by it. It conveys technical knowledge and generates skilled jobs. By localizing output, it preserves foreign exchange, and
Significantly, it creates opportunities for export and regional leadership in the defense industry, he stated.
“Your work exemplifies what is possible when Nigerian companies choose to build rather than import, to innovate rather than imitate, and to compete without compromising,” Matawalle said, praising X-Shield’s leadership and technical teams for their discipline, professionalism, and unwavering focus on excellence.
“Defense Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, or DICON, is dedicated to strengthening alliances of this kind that align national interests with industrial growth and commercial sustainability as we move forward.”
He reiterated that reliable collaborations like the one we celebrate today would allow Nigerian hands to build Nigeria’s defense and security capabilities at home.
“I wish you continued success as a key partner of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria and congratulate X-Shield on this important milestone.
“The effective convergence of security requirements, indigenous capabilities, industrial experience, and economic opportunities is symbolized by today’s unveiling.
The Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria was founded with the specific goal of promoting domestic defense production, lowering dependency on foreign supply chains, and establishing Nigeria as a reliable manufacturer of security and military hardware.
“That mandate cannot be fulfilled in a vacuum. It necessitates strategic alliances with organizations that have long-term dedication, discipline, vision, and technical expertise. He declared, “X-Shield has shown itself to be such a worthy partner.”
“Our partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria is both strategically and economically sound,” stated Mr. Charles Ibanga, CEO of DICON X Shield. Most significantly, it shows how public institutions and private business may collaborate to create defense manufacturing projects that are bankable, scalable, and competitive on a global scale.
Nigeria spent more on armored vehicles than on fuel in the final quarter of 2023 alone, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics. Over 4.06 trillion worth of armored vehicles were imported by the nation.
“Armoured vehicles account for 35.87% of all imports, compared to N1.81 trillion spent on petrol, a difference of N3.25 trillion.” These numbers make it very evident how urgently local manufacturing, sustainability, and MRO skills are needed.
We are very pleased that X-SHIELD now represents the future of Nigeria’s defense and armored mobility industries.
We see great potential as a company to provide cutting-edge armored vehicle solutions and expert MRO services to government agencies, law enforcement, vital institutions, private individuals, businesses, and international corporations,” he stated.
“We remain fully committed to delivering platforms that meet operational requirements while adhering to global standards,” he added, praising President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle, the Director General of DICON, and the whole DICON management team for their trust and support.
