Matawalle Seeks Czech Partnership for DICON Ammunition Production, Technology Transfer
Oru Leonard
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has led a Nigerian delegation to the Czech Republic to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and explore technology transfer opportunities for Nigeria’s defence manufacturing sector.
Matawalle, who is on a three-day official working visit, led senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The delegation attended the Czech Air Force Day/Air Show and Defence Exhibition in Ostrava, where a range of modern and heavy defence equipment manufactured by Czech defence companies was showcased.
During the visit, Matawalle held a bilateral meeting with the Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Jaromír Zuna (Rtd.), to discuss ways of deepening defence cooperation between both countries.
According to the Ministry of Defence, discussions focused on strengthening Nigeria-Czech strategic partnership and expanding cooperation aimed at increasing DICON’s capacity to manufacture military hardware locally.
Matawalle specifically requested Czech support for the establishment of an ammunition production line in Nigeria, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s domestic defence production capacity.
The two ministers also discussed technology transfer to Nigeria, particularly in the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other military hardware.
Zuna, according to the statement, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed the Czech Republic’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in strengthening DICON’s defence production capabilities, including through technology transfer.
As part of the three-day visit, Matawalle is scheduled to tour selected defence and security industrial complexes across the Czech Republic.
The Ministry said the engagement is aimed at deepening bilateral defence-industrial ties and supporting Nigeria’s efforts to develop greater local capacity in defence equipment production.
