Defence

Minister of State for Defence , Bello Matawalle

THE Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, on Wednesday inaugurated the DICON Institute of Technology in Kaduna.

Matawalle said the institute was established as part of the Federal Government’s deliberate efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence production and build a robust military-industrial complex in Nigeria.

He said the institute would provide the technical expertise required to design, develop and sustain platforms and systems critical to national security.

The minister said Nigeria had for decades relied heavily on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities, with attendant consequences.

He said the establishment of the institute represented a significant step toward changing the narrative and strengthening the country’s indigenous defence industrial base.

Matawalle commended the leadership of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), under its Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, for making the project a reality.

He also commended the DICON Board, management and staff for their commitment and sacrifices toward repositioning the corporation as the bedrock of Nigeria’s military-industrial complex.

According to him, the institute will serve as a vehicle for driving the innovation required for the future development of defence-related and civil manufacturing sectors in Nigeria.

“To the management and academic staff of the DICON Institute of Technology, I charge you to strive to make this institution a centre of excellence.

“I further urge you to partner with industry and academia to drive innovation and let this institution become a hub where ideas are transformed into products and technologies that will serve the best interests of our nation,” he said.

The minister assured DICON and the institute of the Federal Government’s continued support in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He said the government would continue to provide the necessary support, enabling environment, policy direction and resources required to enable DICON and the institute to fulfil their mandates.

Earlier, Alaya said the inauguration marked the culmination of a vision to build not only defence equipment but also the human capacity required to power Nigeria’s military-industrial complex.

He said the institute was conceived to address critical gaps in innovation, research and development, as well as production.

The DICON director-general said sustainable industrialisation could only be achieved through the development of indigenous human capital capable of working behind the machines and driving technological advancement.

According to him, the institute will focus on training engineers, technologists, technicians and other professionals in defence-related disciplines.

He said it would also serve as a centre for research, development and innovation, supporting the operational needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, while contributing to the broader manufacturing sector.

Alaya said the approval for DICON to co-run the institute with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), alongside its listing by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), represented a significant milestone.

He said the development had established a formal academic pathway into Nigeria’s defence industry.

The DICON boss said the institute would be fully integrated into the corporation’s drive to become the nucleus of Nigeria’s defence industries.

He said adequate funding, partnerships and linkages with DICON factories and those of its joint-venture partners would be established to ensure that research and innovation translated into tangible products and solutions.

Alaya expressed the vision that the institute would become a foremost centre of excellence for defence technology education, applied research and innovation.

He said the institution would be committed to producing graduates with competence, character and creativity to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial capability and contribute to national development.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, particularly for signing the DICON Act 2023, which he described as a turning point in the history and operations of the corporation.

The director-general also appreciated the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for their support, guidance and direction toward achieving DICON’s strategic objectives.

He further commended the DICON Board, management and staff, as well as partners in the defence industry and academia, for their contributions to the realisation of the project.

The event was attended by senior military officers, retired generals and officers, members of the DICON Board and management, as well as stakeholders in the defence industry and academia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister also inaugurate solar powered system of 240-kilowatt solar inverter system with a 343-kilowatt-hour energy storage facility at the DICON headquarters. (NAN)

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