BPP, DICON Partner to Boost Local Defence Manufacturing

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) have entered into a formal partnership to enhance local defence manufacturing and bolster domestic investments in the security sector. This collaboration aligns with Nigeria's 'Nigeria First' policy, which prioritises the procurement of locally produced goods and services, particularly in defense-related industries.

According to Ngozi Anyaelezu, BPP's Assistant Chief Information Officer, the partnership aims to operationalize the implementation of the 'Nigeria First' policy. This policy mandates Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to favor domestic products and services in public procurement, ensuring quality and adherence to global benchmarks.

By prioritizing domestic defence producers and local military suppliers, the 'Nigeria First' policy seeks to enforce domestic preference in procurement decisions, thereby promoting national self-reliance.

DICON's Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, expressed his commitment to strengthening the partnership, stating that it would establish a robust institutional alliance to integrate defence investments into the 'Nigeria First' framework. Alaya emphasized that this collaboration would ensure that national security expenditures directly contribute to industrial growth and job creation.

He highlighted that DICON is dedicated to meeting national security needs locally and stressed the importance of aligning the corporation's procurement pathways with local content compliance.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, BPP's Director-General, commended DICON's proactive approach in engaging with the BPP on procurement regulatory mechanisms. Adedokun reaffirmed the BPP's commitment to working with DICON to streamline procurement frameworks and institutionalize domestic preference standards. Both agencies agreed to establish a joint technical working committee to finalize the operational roadmap for implementing this partnership, ensuring effective coordination and progress towards achieving the goals set forth by the 'Nigeria First' policy.