Nigeria's Defence Minister Bello Matawalle inaugurates DICON Institute in Kaduna

Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle opened the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kaduna. The institute is intended to strengthen Nigeria's indigenous defence production, reduce reliance on foreign military technology, and develop human capital for the country's military‑industrial complex. Matawalle highlighted the government's commitment to building a robust defence‑industrial base under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the DICON Act 2023.

The institute will train engineers, technologists, and technicians, serve as a hub for research, development and innovation, and support both defence and civil manufacturing sectors. Major General Babatunde Alaya, DICON’s Director‑General, noted the institute’s approval by the National Board for Technical Education and its inclusion in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board pathway. Matawalle also inaugurated a 240‑kilowatt solar inverter system with a 343‑kilowatt‑hour storage facility to ensure stable power for DICON operations.