Minister unveils DICON technology institute in Kaduna

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The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has inaugurated the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Institute of Technology in Kaduna as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity and reduce reliance on foreign military technology.

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Matawalle said the establishment of the institute underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to building a robust military-industrial complex capable of providing the technical expertise needed to design, develop and sustain platforms and systems critical to the nation’s security.

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The minister spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration ceremony at the DICON headquarters in Kaduna.

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He said Nigeria had, for decades, depended heavily on foreign countries for critical defence capabilities, a situation that had exposed the country to strategic vulnerabilities.

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According to him, the new institute represents a major step towards reversing the trend by developing the skilled manpower required to drive local defence manufacturing and innovation.

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“This institute has been established as part of our deliberate efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence production and strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence industrial base,” Matawalle said.

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He commended the Director-General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, the corporation’s board, management and staff for their commitment to repositioning the organisation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s military-industrial development.

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The minister described the institute as a platform that would drive innovation in both defence and civil manufacturing sectors.

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Addressing the management and academic staff of the institution, he urged them to strive for excellence and build strategic partnerships with industry players and academic institutions.

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“I charge you to make this institution a centre of excellence. Partner with industry and academia to drive innovation and transform ideas into products and technologies that will serve the best interests of our nation,” he said.

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Matawalle assured DICON of the Federal Government’s continued support in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging sustained policy backing, funding and an enabling environment for the corporation and the institute to achieve their mandates.

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The minister also inaugurated the Yakusak 240-kilowatt solar inverter system with a 343-kilowatt-hour energy storage facility, designed to provide stable and sustainable electricity for DICON’s operations.

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Earlier, the Director-General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, described the inauguration of the institute as the fulfilment of a vision to develop the human capacity required to power Nigeria’s growing military-industrial complex.

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According to him, the institute was conceived to bridge critical gaps in research, innovation, technological development and production within Nigeria’s defence sector.

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He noted that sustainable industrialisation could only be achieved through the development of indigenous human capital capable of designing, operating and maintaining modern defence technologies.

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“The institute will focus on training engineers, technologists, technicians and other professionals in defence-related disciplines. It will also serve as a centre for research, development and innovation in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, other security agencies and the broader manufacturing sector,” Alaya said.

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He disclosed that the approval for DICON to co-run the institution with the National Board for Technical Education and its listing by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board had created a formal academic pathway into Nigeria’s defence industry.

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Alaya added that the institute would be integrated into DICON’s transformation agenda through sustained funding, research partnerships and collaboration with DICON factories and joint-venture partners to ensure that research outputs translate into practical products and solutions.

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He expressed optimism that the institution would emerge as a leading centre of excellence for defence technology education, applied research and innovation, producing graduates with the competence, character and creativity needed to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial capability.

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The DICON boss also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the DICON Act 2023 into law, describing the legislation as a watershed in the corporation’s history that had expanded its operational scope and opened new opportunities for partnerships and local defence manufacturing.

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He further thanked the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, members of the DICON Board, management, staff and stakeholders in the defence industry and academia for their support in bringing the project to fruition.

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

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The inauguration comes as the Federal Government continues to push for greater local production of military hardware and technology following the enactment of the DICON Act 2023, which expanded the corporation’s mandate to promote indigenous defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research and strategic partnerships aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported military equipment.

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