FG Commissions DICON Institute To Boost Local Defence Manufacturing

FG Commissions DICON Institute To Boost Local Defence Manufacturing

KADUNA -  The Federal Government has commissioned the DICON Institute of Technology in Kaduna in a fresh push to end Nigeria’s dependence on foreign defence equipment and build a self-sustaining military-industrial base.  

The institute was unveiled on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Muhammad Bello Matawalle, who described it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s security future.  

Dr. Matawalle said the project was designed to close a long-standing gap in the country’s defence architecture. “This institute is a legacy project conceived to equip Nigeria with the technical expertise needed to design, develop, and sustain platforms and systems that guarantee our national security,” the Minister stated.  

He lamented years of over-reliance on imports for critical military hardware.  
“For too long, our country has completely relied on foreign sources for critical defence capability, with attendant consequences. This institute represents a concrete step to change that narrative,” Dr. Matawalle said.  

The Minister commended the management of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria for driving the project to completion. “I commend the leadership of DICON under the Director-General, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, for the commitment that made this project a reality. I also thank the board, management and staff for their sacrifices,” he said.  

Dr. Matawalle charged lecturers and researchers at the institute to prioritize innovation and collaboration. “I charge the academic staff to make this institute a centre of excellence by partnering with industry and academia to turn ideas into products that serve national interest,” he stated.  

He assured that the Federal Government would back the institute under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.  “Government will continue to provide the necessary support, enabling environment, policy direction, and resources for DICON and the institute to deliver on their mandate. I am confident that the institute will drive innovation for both defence-related and civil manufacturing sectors,” the Minister added. 

 


Government officials said the institute will function as a hub for research, skills training, and technology transfer to strengthen local production capacity.  

Also speaking, the Director General of DICON, Major General B.I. Alaya, said the institute was envisioned to bridge training and industry needs in the defence sector. “The institute was conceived as a centre of excellence where technical education, applied research, and industrial collaboration will converge to produce skilled professionals for the defence manufacturing sector,” Gen. Alaya said.  

He noted that scaling up local production requires investment in human capital. “As DICON expands its mandate and scales up local production capacity, investment in education and innovation has become essential for sustainable growth. Beyond supporting DICON’s core mission, the institute will contribute to national technological advancement, industrial competitiveness, and economic development,” he stated. 

 
The DICON DG attributed the establishment of the institute to the DICON Act 2023 signed by President Tinubu. “I acknowledge the support of the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, and other partners,” Gen. Alaya said.  

He called for wider collaboration to make the project succeed. “I call on all stakeholders to join in building a vibrant ecosystem of education, research, and innovation that will strengthen Nigeria’s technological capabilities.

 This institute is critical to advancing our vision of defence industrialisation and reducing reliance on imported defence technologies,” he added.