Army must look inward for military technology, says Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged Nigerian Army officers to drive home-grown military innovation, warning that Nigeria’s long-term security cannot depend solely on foreign technology.

Musa gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 10/2026, on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said the future of Nigeria’s defence rests on the ability to develop, adapt and sustain its own systems.

He said the Federal Government was making concerted efforts to develop indigenous defence capability while maintaining cooperation with reliable international partners.

“Our long-term security architecture cannot rest solely on foreign technologies.

“Therefore, we are progressively building the capacity to understand, maintain, adapt and produce systems that respond to our own operational realities.

“This requires purposeful collaboration among the Armed Forces, universities, research institutions, defence industries and Nigerian innovators,” he said.

Musa stressed that institutions must build capacity for hybrid warfare, including unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and data analytics for operational effectiveness.

He challenged the graduands to see innovation as a command responsibility.

“Innovation is not the exclusive responsibility of engineers, scientists or procurement specialists.

“Commanders are often best placed to identify operational gaps, articulate problems clearly and work to develop solutions,” he said.

The minister told the officers that graduation was more than a certificate.

“Today is more than the completion of a course, but a point of transition from learning to application and from professional qualification to greater responsibility.

“The value of this college will ultimately be measured not by the certificates alone, but by the quality of judgement the officers bring to leadership, and the results they deliver on the field,” he said.

Musa added that the task before the officers was not simply to respond to threats after they emerge, saying they must strengthen their ability to foresee risks, identify vulnerabilities and adapt faster than those who seek to undermine our national security.

He said the leader of today must combine professional competence with intellectual curiosity and the courage to make difficult decisions under pressure.

The minister linked the push for self-reliance to the vision of President Bola Tinubu, saying the Armed Forces have the full support of the Commander-in-Chief to advance the military.

“We have the full support of Mr President in advancing the armed forces and the country, therefore, we must remain professional, loyal and continue to support his vision,” Musa said.

He reminded the graduating officers that the nation had invested heavily in their training.

“As you report to your formations and appointments, I charge you to demonstrate your value through the quality of your decisions and the integrity with which you discharge your duties,” he added.

Earlier, the Commandant of AWCN, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, said the course was built around the theme: “Indigenous Technological Innovation for Enhanced Professional Effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.”

Alkali said the theme underscored the need for the Nigerian Army to embrace indigenous research and local development as essential instruments for improving operational effectiveness.

He said the College, established in February 2017, is mandated to develop officers for operational-level command and staff appointments and to translate strategic guidance into effective operational plans within joint, multinational and inter-agency environments.

According to him, the course initially enrolled 100 participants, but one could not complete due to ill health, leaving 99 to graduate.

“The diverse composition of the course enriched professional discussions, encouraged the exchange of experiences and strengthened bonds of mutual cooperation among participating countries.

“Notably, the course recorded several milestones, including the participation of women in the College’s programme and the highest number of allied participants in its history,” he said.

The commandant said the award of fellowship was not merely academic recognition.

“The award of fellowship is not merely a recognition of academic achievement; it is a call to greater responsibility and leadership.

“You must continue to demonstrate sound judgement, intellectual courage, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and your respective countries,” he told the graduands.

It was reported that 99 officers graduated after 37 weeks of intensive professional military education that began in February.

Our correspondent reported that the event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, other Service Chiefs, allied officers, and families of the graduands.