By SHINDONG BALA; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Federal Government has established, equipped and commissioned the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kaduna as part of efforts to bridge critical gaps in defence innovation, research, development and indigenous production.
Commissioning the institute, the Minister of State for Defence, Mallam Bello Matawalle, described the facility as a landmark project that would drive innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity.
He said the institute would serve as a catalyst for developing the technical expertise needed to design, develop and sustain defence platforms and systems essential for national security.
Matawalle noted that Nigeria had relied heavily on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities over the years, stressing that the establishment of the institute marks a deliberate step toward building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial complex.
He commended the leadership, management and staff of DICON for their commitment and sacrifices in bringing the project to fruition, describing the institute as a legacy initiative that would transform the country’s defence sector.
The Minister charged the management and academic staff of the institute to make it a centre of excellence by fostering collaboration with industries and academic institutions to promote research, innovation and the development of practical solutions for Nigeria’s security needs.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting DICON and the institute through enabling policies, adequate resources and sustained investment in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, said the institute was conceived to address critical gaps in innovation, research, development and production by building indigenous human capacity for Nigeria’s defence industry.
According to him, the institute will train engineers, technologists and technicians in defence-related disciplines to support the operational needs of the Armed Forces and other security agencies while contributing to the nation’s broader manufacturing sector.
Major General Alaya said the institute had received approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and had been listed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), laying the foundation for quality technical education in defence technology.
He expressed confidence that the institute would evolve into Africa’s foremost centre of excellence for defence technology education, applied research and innovation, producing graduates capable of advancing Nigeria’s defence industrial capability and national development.
Earlier, the Minister commissioned a 240-kilowatt solar inverter system with a 343-kilowatt-hour energy storage facility designed to provide uninterrupted power supply to the DICON complex, ensuring energy independence and cost-effective operations.
