Minister Matawalle Receives Commendation for Transformative Security Reforms
A prominent Nigerian civil society group, the Nigeria Anti-Corruption and Integrity Movement, has commended the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, for his pivotal role in driving significant security reforms across the country.
In a statement released in Lagos on Thursday, the group praised Matawalle for revamping national defence architecture, introducing technological innovations for military operations, and revitalizing local defence production capabilities.
“Dr. Matawalle has fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s security strategy,” said the movement’s president, Abiola Yusuf, highlighting the minister’s achievements since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023.
A central pillar of the reforms, the statement noted, is the overhaul of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The 2023 DICON Act—its first major reform since the 1980s—restructured the institution into a public-private partnership, opening it to foreign collaborations and boosting domestic production of weapons, protective gear, and unmanned aerial vehicle components.
This shift toward local manufacturing, the statement added, has strengthened the military’s self-reliance and reduced dependency on foreign equipment.
“Through this initiative, Nigeria is asserting control over its defence industrial base,” the group emphasized.
Yusuf also noted that under the coordinated leadership of Minister Matawalle, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Nigeria recorded major counter-insurgency gains in 2024.
According to official data cited in the release, over 8,000 terrorists were neutralized, more than 11,600 insurgents were arrested, and over 10,000 weapons were recovered in military operations across the Northeast and Northwest.
The rescue of more than 8,000 civilians in 2024 represents a 46% increase compared to the past two years, attributed to enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance capabilities, and inter-agency coordination.
One of the standout achievements, the statement noted, was Matawalle’s visit to Sokoto in September 2024, which led to the neutralization of key bandit leaders—part of a targeted counterterrorism approach.
In the maritime security sector, Matawalle is spearheading the establishment of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Task Force, aligning Nigeria’s naval strategies with broader African Union objectives.
The commissioning of new long-range patrol vessels in April 2024, in partnership with Turkey, has boosted efforts to combat piracy and safeguard Nigeria’s oil-rich maritime domain.
On the diplomatic front, Matawalle’s defence diplomacy has strengthened Nigeria’s ties with international partners. Engagements with the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Turkish defence authorities, and the U.S. Africa Command have enhanced training, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships—positioning Nigeria as a key security stakeholder on the continent.
Among his domestic initiatives, the minister introduced a biometric verification system for military pensioners, curbing fraud and easing access to entitlements. Programs like the Quarterly Veteran Roundtables and biometric passport hubs reflect NATO-aligned standards in veterans' welfare.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Steel Development, efforts are underway to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company to produce bullet-resistant alloys and aerospace-grade components—supporting local vehicle and defence manufacturing.
“Matawalle’s vision is to place Nigeria at the forefront of modern, self-reliant and strategically aligned security development,” the statement concluded.
According to Yusuf, this strategy is not only redefining Nigeria’s defence posture but also positioning the Nigerian Armed Forces as a bulwark for African continental security and industrial growth.
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