The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, Wednesday, inaugurated the DICON Institute of Technology and a 240-kilowatt solar inverter system at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity.
The newly inaugurated solar facility, known as YAKUSAK, comprises a 240-kilowatt solar inverter system with a 343-kilowatt-hour energy storage facility designed to provide reliable and sustainable power for DICON’s operations.
Speaking during the inauguration, Matawalle said the institute was established to provide the technical expertise required to drive Nigeria’s quest for self-reliance in defence production and reduce dependence on foreign military technology.
He said the institution would train the manpower needed to design, develop and sustain platforms and systems critical to national security.
“For decades, Nigeria has relied heavily on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities. The establishment of this institute represents a significant step towards changing that narrative and strengthening our indigenous defence industrial base,” he said.
The minister described the institute as a strategic investment in human capital that would support innovation, research and technological advancement in both the defence and civil manufacturing sectors.
He urged the management and academic staff to make the institution a centre of excellence through collaboration with industry and academic institutions.
“I charge you to partner with industry and academia to drive innovation and transform ideas into products and technologies that will serve the best interests of our nation,” he said.