On Wednesday, Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, announced that the Armed Forces of Nigeria needs an annual supply of 200 million rounds of ammunition to effectively carry out its operations and it will cost the government almost N600 Billion.
He mentioned that this expense incurred by the government amounted to no less than $2 for each round of ammunition.
The minister revealed this information while formalizing a memorandum of understanding among the Ministry of Defense, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering to set up an ammunition manufacturing facility in Nigeria.
He said , “We have been travelling all over the world, and we see how local manufacturers are developing their countries. Unfortunately, Nigeria, for 60 years, has failed to build the institutions, but that has changed, and it will continue changing, inshallah.
“Therefore, I make a promise to Mr President that as far as MOD, before the expiration of his four years, I assure him that DICON will be exporting its military capabilities.
“Therefore, all we need from all of you is prayers and your dedication.
“We shall look at it as our baby, not just for me, but for all of us. Of course, if today we are doing even 60 or 70% reductions of our military hardware and ammunition, how much the ministry or the military are spending every year?
“The requirement of just the military is about 200 million rounds of ammunition per annum. Just military. Put together, other paramilitaries, the police, we’re looking at about 350 million rounds of ammunition per annum”.
