Matawalle inaugurates DICON Technology Institute in Kaduna

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has inaugurated the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kaduna.The establishment of the institute forms part of the Federal Government’s drive to boost Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign military technology. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday at the DICON headquarters in Kaduna, Matawalle emphasised that the institute underscores the government’s commitment to building a strong military-industrial complex.He noted that Nigeria has long relied on foreign countries for critical defence capabilities, a situation that created strategic vulnerabilities for the nation. “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,” the minister stated.Matawalle commended the Director-General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, and the corporation’s board, management, and staff for their efforts in repositioning DICON. He described the institute as a platform that would drive innovation in both defence and civil manufacturing sectors. He charged the management and academic staff to strive for excellence, build partnerships with industry and academia, and transform ideas into practical products and technologies that serve national interests.Matawalle also inaugurated a 240-kilowatt Yakusak solar inverter system with a 343-kilowatt-hour energy storage facility to ensure stable power supply for DICON operations. He assured the corporation of continued government support in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Alaya described the institute as a fulfilment of the vision to develop human capital for Nigeria’s military-industrial complex. The facility will focus on training engineers, technologists, and other professionals in defence-related fields while serving as a hub for research, development, and innovation. The DICON boss noted that the institute has received approval to operate with the National Board for Technical Education and has been listed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, creating a formal pathway into the defence industry.The inauguration aligns with the Federal Government’s push for local production of military hardware following the signing of the DICON Act 2023, which expanded the corporation’s mandate to promote indigenous manufacturing, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships. The event was attended by senior military officers, retired generals, board members, and stakeholders from the defence industry and academia.

Minister Bello Matawalle inaugurates the DICON Technology Institute in Kaduna to boost Nigeria’s indigenous defence production and reduce reliance on forei Read More: https://punchng.com/minister-unveils-dicon-technology-institute-in-kaduna/