The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for accelerated indigenous defence innovation to strengthen the Nigerian Army's operational capabilities. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai, Shaibu made the call during the Nigerian Army Translational Innovation Seminar on Emerging Technologies 2026 in Abuja. The seminar's theme was "Indigenous Defence Innovations and the Future of Land Warfare". Shaibu highlighted the importance of developing home-grown technologies to effectively confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other emerging security threats.
Shaibu noted that the changing character of warfare requires the army to develop, adapt, and sustain indigenous technologies to maintain operational independence and long-term military capability development. He stressed that technological advancements are rapidly redefining military operations, with unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and advanced surveillance capabilities increasingly determining battlefield outcomes. The COAS emphasized that the ability of an army to prepare for future battles depends on its capacity to innovate, integrate emerging technologies, and adapt faster than adversaries.
The COAS cited recent conflicts worldwide, which have demonstrated how relatively inexpensive technologies, when creatively deployed and effectively integrated, can provide significant operational advantages. He warned that adversaries are constantly adapting their tactics and exploiting technological opportunities to undermine the military's operational advantages. Shaibu stressed the need for the army to remain proactive in identifying emerging technological trends and translating them into practical capabilities suited to Nigeria's operational realities.
Shaibu cautioned against excessive dependence on foreign sources for critical military equipment, spare parts, and technical support. He emphasized the need for the army to cultivate the capacity to develop, adapt, maintain, and progressively produce technologies that respond to Nigeria's peculiar security challenges. The COAS called for stronger collaboration among the Nigerian army, defence research institutions, universities, indigenous manufacturers, technology developers, and the private sector to develop practical, affordable, reliable, and sustainable solutions.
The COAS described indigenous innovation as a strategic investment in operational independence, institutional resilience, and the long-term development of Nigeria's defence capabilities. He noted that the ongoing expansion and transformation of the Nigerian Army require corresponding improvements in operational capabilities, training systems, and technological proficiency. Shaibu emphasized that the expansion must be accompanied by deliberate efforts to integrate emerging technologies into the organisational structures, training programmes, and operational concepts of new and existing formations.
Maj.-Gen. Peter Okoye, Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), said the seminar aimed to develop strategies for addressing evolving security challenges in a rapidly changing technological environment. Okoye noted that dependence on foreign sources for military equipment, spare parts, and technical support exposes the country to delays, high costs, and restrictions beyond its control. He emphasized that locally developed solutions offer opportunities for quicker adaptation, local repairs, and sustainable operational support.
The seminar brought together senior military officers, researchers, technology experts, defence industry stakeholders, and other participants to examine the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future of land warfare. The success of the seminar will ultimately be determined by the practical changes resulting from its deliberations, Okoye said. The value of the seminar will be measured by what changes afterwards, what reaches the soldier on the ground, and how much stronger and more responsive the Nigerian Army becomes.
Key points
- The COAS calls for accelerated indigenous defence innovation to reduce dependence on foreign military technologies.
- The Nigerian Army is expanding its structure from eight to 12 divisions and recruiting an additional 28,000 personnel.
- The seminar aims to develop strategies for addressing evolving security challenges in a rapidly changing technological environment.
