Reps promise prudent defence resource management

The House of Representatives Committee on Defense, says it will ensure effective utilization of resources allocated to military colleges and institutions.

The institutions are: the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA); Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji.

The Chairman of the committee, Babajimi Benson, said this on Monday in Kaduna on the sidelines of an oversight visit to the institutes, as the 2025 budget cycle approaches.

He said that fund allocated to the institutes must add value in upgrading training facilities, procurement of advanced equipment, research and development initiatives.

Benson underscored the imperative of the agencies to uphold highest standards of transparency and accountability in their operations.

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According to him, the National Assembly will provide sound legislation to strengthen Nigeria’s defense sector by ensuring effective utilization of funds.

He said the visit was an important part of the process, and expressed readiness to work closely to ensure that Armed Forces were fully equipped to face the challenges ahead.

According to Benson, the committee will ensure support to the institutes through responsible budgetary allocations and enabling policies, adding that the lawmakers through effective legislative oversight would hold them accountable to the people.

While calling for continuous cooperation, open communication and transparent reporting, Benson urged the institutions to constantly engage the committee.

He that such partnership would address challenges as they arise, ensure timely funding and identify areas needing quick intervention.

“Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s defense institutions remain at the cutting edge of military
training, manufacturing and strategic leadership,” he said.

On DICON, Benson underscored its importance in contemporary global security environment as it avail the nation the ability to manufacture its own defense equipment, crucial to its sovereignty and resilience.

He said the feat achieved by the corporation in the production of locally made firearms and other military hardware strengthened the nation’s Armed Forces and reduced dependency on foreign supplies.

The chairman stressed the need for the corporation to priorities innovation, research and development, to ensure that all military equipment meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

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“It must strive to be a global leader in defense production, not only catering to the needs of our military but also positioning Nigeria as a regional exporter of defense technology thereby contributing to its economic growth.

“The new DICON Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu provides the legal framework to support the goals.

“Looking into the future, it is important to remember that the security landscape in Nigeria and globally is constantly evolving and the role of well trained, disciplined and forward thinking military officers is more important than ever,” he said.

He tasked the institutes to play critical roles in shaping the nation’s military, adding that, “it is vital that we
continue to invest in them, not just financially, but through policy reforms”.

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, the Commandant, NDA, said defense related issues were mostly confidential and not open to the general public.

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He said that far reaching decisions had been made to move the three institutes and and the Armed Forces forward.

“We will see a better leadership that will be provided for the Armed Forces based on the cadets trained out in the NDA, more capacity for DICON and for the AFCSC to develop officers for middle rank cadre,” he Ochai said.

NAN reports that members of the committee toured facilities at the NDA and DICON factory.