The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, on Wednesday commissioned the DICON Institute of Technology (DIT) in Kakuri, Kaduna State, describing the institution as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards self-reliance in defence production and technological advancement.
The Minister also inaugurated a Solar Power System at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Headquarters, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and indigenous defence industrialisation.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Matawalle said the establishment of the institute reflects the unwavering commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to developing indigenous capacity through education, research, innovation and technological advancement.
He stressed that national security in today’s dynamic environment depends not only on sophisticated military equipment but also on a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in the defence sector.
According to him, the DICON Institute of Technology will serve as a strategic platform for nurturing the expertise required to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial and technological resilience.
“As we inaugurate this historic institution, I call on government, industry, academia and development partners to support its mission. Together, we can build the knowledge and skilled workforce required to secure Nigeria’s future,” the Minister said.
Dr. Matawalle commended the leadership of DICON, led by the Director-General, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, for achieving another landmark in Nigeria’s pursuit of defence industrialisation, technological advancement and national development.
In his remarks, the Director-General of DICON, Major General Alaya, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the DICON Act 2023 into law, describing the legislation as a transformative step for Nigeria’s defence industry.
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 (NBTE), and DICON’s partners for their support in establishing the institute.
Major General Alaya said the institute’s mission is to produce globally competitive engineers, technologists and innovators equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to advance Nigeria’s defence industry and contribute to national development through defence-focused programmes, modern laboratories and strategic partnerships.
Established under the Defence Industries Corporation Act of 1964, DICON has remained Nigeria’s premier defence manufacturing institution, providing military hardware and equipment to the Armed Forces for more than six decades.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; representatives of the Kaduna State Government, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Emir of Zazzau, as well as senior military officers, government officials and traditional rulers.
