Matawalle Commissions DICON Institute of Technology, Reaffirms FG's Commitment to Defence Industrialisation

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has commissioned the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kakuri, Kaduna State, describing the institution as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria's indigenous defence manufacturing capacity through education, research and innovation.

The minister also inaugurated a solar power system at the headquarters of DICON as part of efforts to improve the corporation's operational capacity.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Matawalle said the establishment of the institute reflects the commitment of President Bola Tinubu's administration to developing local expertise capable of driving Nigeria's defence industrialisation agenda.

He noted that in an increasingly complex global security environment, national defence depends not only on sophisticated military equipment but also on the availability of highly skilled personnel with the technical knowledge required to support the sector.

According to him, the DICON Institute of Technology will serve as a strategic platform for nurturing talents, promoting innovation and strengthening the country's industrial and technological resilience.

"This institute will nurture the talents and innovation required to strengthen Nigeria's industrial and technological resilience," he said.

The minister called on government agencies, industry players, academic institutions and development partners to support the institute's mission of producing the skilled workforce needed to secure Nigeria's future.

He commended the leadership of DICON, led by its Director General, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, for what he described as another significant milestone in Nigeria's pursuit of defence industrialisation, technological advancement and national development.

The DICON Institute of Technology is Nigeria's first statutory tertiary institution dedicated to training professionals for a modern, self-reliant and sustainable defence industry.

In his remarks, the Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the DICON Act 2023 into law, which paved the way for the establishment of the institute.

He also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Board for Technical Education and DICON's partners for their support in making the project a reality.

Alaya said the institute's mission is to produce globally competitive engineers, technologists and innovators equipped with the knowledge, skills and values required to advance Nigeria's defence industry while contributing to national development.

He added that through defence focused academic programmes, modern laboratories and strategic partnerships, the institution aims to prepare graduates to compete successfully in the global technology and defence sectors.

Established under the Defence Industries Corporation Act of 1964, DICON has remained Nigeria's foremost defence manufacturing institution, supplying equipment and military hardware to the Armed Forces for more than six decades.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General O.O. Oluyede, representatives of the Kaduna State Governor, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the Emir of Zazzau, as well as senior military officers, government officials and traditional rulers.