2025, Year Of Defence Transformation Under Matawalle, Says Group

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, maintained active oversight of Nigeria’s defence sector throughout 2025, engaging in strategic leadership, international diplomacy, and institutional reforms, the Northern Youth Concerns Citizens (NYCC) has said on Wednesday.

A statement signed by the group’s chairman, Dr Ibrahim Buhari Malunfashi, said the year began with a focus on personnel morale and national security traditions.

The statement read: “In January, Dr Matawalle decorated senior officers of the Nigerian Navy and Police Force and joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House and National Mosque for Armed Forces Remembrance Day events.

“The Minister also presented the 2025 Defence budget to the National Assembly and participated in high-level engagements with international defence support firms. In Kaduna, he unveiled a redesigned corporate logo for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

“In February, he hosted the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria to discuss defence cooperation and attended a major social event in Kano. March involved institutional and industrial oversight, including meetings with the Bureau of Public Procurement, ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, and a delegation from China’s NORINCO.

“Dr Matawalle represented Nigeria at the Latin America Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Brazil in April and hosted delegations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States Embassy, and local defence firms. He also undertook operational visits to Maiduguri alongside the Chief of Defence Staff.

“May and June focused on naval capacity and national crisis response. The Minister presided over DICON board meetings, inducted new naval platforms, launched the Navy Special Operations Command logo, and joined President Tinubu on security assessments in Benue State.

“July and August highlighted both domestic leadership and international diplomacy. Dr Matawalle commissioned compressed natural gas vehicles for military logistics, unveiled new DICON-manufactured armoured platforms, and led defence delegations to Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and India.”

He also co-chaired the National Defence College Governing Board meeting and engaged African defence leaders in Abuja.

“In September, he responded to an accidental explosion at the DICON Ordnance Factory in Kaduna and hosted U.S. Army medical research delegations. October combined ceremonial duties with sports diplomacy, including a charity football match in Abuja.

“November witnessed landmark industrial and security developments, including a strategic MoU between DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company, rescue operations for abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi, and preparatory engagements for next year’s African International Defence Exhibition.

“The year concluded in December with international visits, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where Dr Matawalle signed a defence cooperation agreement before returning to Abuja on 10 December.

“The Minister’s 2025 agenda reflects sustained leadership, international partnerships, and commitment to Nigeria’s defence capability,” the statement said.