Matawalle Commissions DICON Institute of Technology, Reaffirms FG’s
Oru Leonard
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has commissioned the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kakuri, Kaduna State, describing the new institution as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity through education, research and innovation.
Matawalle also inaugurated a new solar power system at the DICON Headquarters in Kaduna, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to building a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence sector.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the minister said the establishment of the DICON Institute of Technology reflects the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to invest in local capacity development as a foundation for national security and sustainable defence industrialisation.
He stressed that in today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, national defence depends not only on sophisticated equipment but also on a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and technological advancement.
Describing the institute as a strategic milestone, Matawalle said it would nurture the talents, expertise and innovation required to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial and technological resilience.
He called on government institutions, industry stakeholders, academic institutions and development partners to support the institute’s mission of producing the skilled manpower needed to secure the nation’s future.
The minister also commended the Director-General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, for his leadership and commitment in advancing Nigeria’s defence industrialisation agenda.
The DICON Institute of Technology is the country’s first statutory tertiary institution dedicated to training engineers, technologists and other professionals for a modern, self-reliant and sustainable defence industry.
In his remarks, the Director-General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the DICON Act 2023 into law, describing it as a landmark that has strengthened the corporation’s mandate.
He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and DICON’s partners in making the institute a reality.
According to Alaya, the institute is committed to producing 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 through modern laboratories, defence-focused programmes and strategic partnerships.
Established under the Defence Industries Corporation Act of 1964, DICON has remained Nigeria’s foremost defence manufacturing institution, providing military equipment and hardware to the Armed Forces for more than six decades.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General O.O. Oluyede; representatives of the Kaduna State Government, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Emir of Zazzau, and other senior military, government and traditional leaders.
