How Matawalle is Redefining Security, Industrial Growth, and Military Innovation in Nigeria

By: Ahmad Dan-Wudil

Since his appointment in August 2023 as the Honourable Minister of State for Defence by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, has implemented transformative reforms in national security architecture, defence production, and military innovation toward strategic autonomy, operational effectiveness, and indigenous industrial capacity for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

A cornerstone of HM Matawalle’s policy thrust has been the revitalization and legal restructuring of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The enactment of the DICON Act, 2023—the first comprehensive statutory reform of Nigeria’s military-industrial base since the late 1980s—empowers DICON as a hybrid public-private enterprise. This legal framework authorizes DICON to pursue direct foreign partnerships, facilitate defence technology transfers, and localize the production of small arms, personal protective equipment (PPE), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components, and other critical systems.

This strategic shift from an import-dependent logistics model to localized force sustainment is enhancing the self-reliance and combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces. By institutionalizing this doctrine, Nigeria is steadily advancing toward strategic independence in ordnance production and military preparedness.

Under the joint oversight of HM Matawalle, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher G. Musa, OFR, the Armed Forces have achieved significant operational gains across all theatres of engagement. Official Q1–Q4 2024 statistics confirm: Over 8,000 high-value terrorist combatants neutralized across Operations HADIN KAI, SAFE HAVEN, and WHIRL PUNCH; 11,600 arrests of insurgents, arms traffickers, and logistical collaborators; Recovery of more than 10,000 assorted weapons, including GPMGs, RPGs, IEDs, and light arms; Rescue of over 8,000 abducted civilians—a 46% increase over 2022–2023 figures.

These achievements reflect improved joint force operations, enhanced inter-agency intelligence fusion, and superior ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) coordination. 

Notably, HM Matawalle’s operational visit to Sokoto in September 2024 resulted in the targeted neutralization of strategic bandit leaders—Halilu Sububu, Ali Kachalla, and Baleri Fakai—demonstrating the application of Decapitation Strategy over conventional attrition warfare in counterinsurgency operations.

At sea, HM Matawalle has also redefined Nigeria’s maritime security posture. Recognizing the Gulf of Guinea as a critical strategic corridor, his leadership saw the formation of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Task Force, aligning Nigeria with ECOWAS and African Union maritime objectives. In April 2024, under bilateral agreements with Turkey, the Ministry procured and commissioned long-range offshore patrol vessels and expanded coastal surveillance infrastructure. These initiatives support not only anti-piracy operations but also secure Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the lifeline of its hydrocarbon export economy.

Equally instrumental has been HM Matawalle’s focus on defence diplomacy. Through strategic engagements with the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in Riyadh, the Turkish Defence Industries Presidency (SSB), and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Nigeria has expanded its joint training programmes, intelligence sharing platforms, and interoperability frameworks with regional and global allies. These alliances are pivotal in repositioning Nigeria as a Tier-1 African security partner. 

Matawalle’s military reforms also address personnel welfare and sustainability. The digitization of the pension verification process has eliminated the inefficiencies and fraud associated with manual verification, reducing physical and psychological strain on veterans. Additionally, the institution of Quarterly DHML-Veteran Roundtables and the rollout of Armed Forces Passport Biometric Hubs are in line with NATO-compliant welfare indices, providing holistic support for troops and their families.

In synergy with the Ministry of Steel Development, the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex is progressing, with a strategic eye on defense sector integration. Projected outputs include: Ballistic-grade steel for armoured personnel carrier (APC) fabrication, Turret plates for indigenous armored platforms, Alloy components to support aerospace R\&D.

This strategic industrial foundation reinforces pre-conflict preparedness and long-term force modernization. Through the Matawalle Doctrine, Nigeria is steadily transitioning from a reactive defence posture to one of strategic force projection, with operational capabilities tailored to the evolving threat landscape of Africa and beyond. It is a doctrine grounded in modernization, localization, and foresight—placing Nigeria’s Armed Forces at the vanguard of continental security and industrial resilience.

Ahmad Dan-Wudil is a Personal Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, he writes from Abuja, Nigeria.