ABUJA — Former Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Nnaemeka Charles Maduegbunam (rtd.), has asserted that Nigeria can resolve significant military hardware challenges by leveraging its domestic pool of engineers, technicians, and local resources. Speaking at the public presentation of his book, *We Can Do It – Towards Nigeria’s Self-Reliance in Science and Technology*, Maduegbunam argued that prioritizing indigenous technology would enhance national self-reliance while reducing the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining military equipment.
Maduegbunam emphasized the need to discard the misconception that valuable technology can be transferred by foreign partners without substantial investment in local capacity. He cited DICON’s track record as evidence of the importance of indigenous capacity, discipline, and innovation, noting that the corporation has successfully refurbished and produced defense equipment, including weapons. According to the former director-general, one specific intervention undertaken by DICON saved the country approximately N5 billion, a result he believes should inspire a national mindset of self-sufficiency.
Leadership Endorsements
Prof. Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power and chairman of the occasion, stated that Maduegbunam’s achievements at DICON highlight the ingenuity and technical capacity present within the Nigerian military. Nnaji described DICON as critical to Nigeria’s survival and development, adding that local production of defense equipment serves to conserve foreign exchange and strengthen the country’s overall technological capacity.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Martin-Luther Agwai, praised Maduegbunam as a knowledgeable and innovative officer who made significant contributions to United Nations operations in Sudan and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Agwai noted that the revitalization of DICON, particularly the refurbishment of G3 rifles, involved important political and diplomatic dimensions that served purposes beyond immediate defense requirements.
In a goodwill message, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu commended Maduegbunam for promoting indigenous solutions to the Army’s technical challenges. Shaibu, represented by Corps Commander Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adereti, stated that the Army’s pursuit of home-grown solutions aligns with its broader efforts to reduce dependence on external providers while strengthening local innovation, maintenance, and repair capabilities.
Maj.-Gen. Adereti recalled Maduegbunam’s initiative to modify a mobile field kitchen for operational deployment, describing it as a practical example of converting operational needs into indigenous technical solutions. Adereti announced that the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) Corps would purchase 20 copies of the book on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, with Adereti personally committing to five additional copies. Former Chiefs of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.) and Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.) also attended, highlighting Maduegbunam’s role in refurbishing tanks that supported operations against the Boko Haram insurgency.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
