Odita Sunday 
Defence Minister Seeks Indigenous Technology to Boost Nigeria’s Military Capabilities
By Odita Sunday
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has called for increased investment in indigenous research, technological innovation and local defence manufacturing to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign sources for critical military equipment and technologies.
Musa made the call at the maiden edition of the Defence Futures Summit 2026, where he emphasised the need for Nigeria to develop a self-reliant, resilient and technologically advanced defence sector capable of responding to emerging security threats.
The summit, themed *“Sovereign Digital Backbone and Defence Innovation,”* brings together stakeholders from government, the Armed Forces, industry, academia and the technology sector to explore opportunities for strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities through innovation and collaboration.
According to the minister, the initiative emerged from the Defence Roundtable held in June 2026, where stakeholders agreed on the need for Nigeria to proactively shape the future of its defence capabilities rather than merely react to changes in the character of warfare.
He described the summit as a strategic platform for mobilising the country’s intellectual resources, technological potential and industrial capacity to build a stronger and more self-sufficient defence sector.
Musa said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen national security through institutional reforms and technological advancement.
He stressed that Nigeria must translate its ideas, talents, partnerships and technical capabilities into practical solutions that would enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
The minister commended Kryterion and Defence Future Lab for laying the foundation for the summit in collaboration with his office, noting that the initiative was designed to promote stronger partnerships among government institutions, military authorities, researchers and technology innovators.
He observed that modern warfare was increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, data-driven intelligence and advanced digital infrastructure.
Consequently, he said Nigeria’s defence preparedness must extend beyond conventional military hardware to include the technologies, knowledge and digital systems that would shape future operational environments.
Musa warned that the country could not afford to remain perpetually dependent on foreign sources for critical defence technologies.
He called for sustained investment in indigenous research and development, support for local innovators, expansion of the defence industrial base and strategic partnerships capable of translating Nigerian ingenuity into practical military capabilities.
According to him, the success of the initiative would depend on the ability of stakeholders to move beyond discussions and presentations to develop solutions that could be deployed to address real security challenges.
He said the summit should serve as a platform where ideas were transformed into workable solutions, partnerships developed into projects and technological innovation translated into operational capabilities for the Armed Forces.
The minister expressed confidence that Nigeria possessed the talent, creativity and determination required to achieve greater technological independence in the defence sector.
He, however, emphasised the need for a supportive innovation ecosystem, sustained government commitment and purposeful collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Musa said he expected the Defence Futures Summit to develop into a credible and enduring platform for advancing defence innovation, strengthening technological sovereignty and positioning Nigeria as a significant contributor to Africa’s evolving defence technology landscape.
He urged participants to engage constructively, explore bold ideas and pursue partnerships that would deliver measurable benefits to national security.
The minister also commended the organisers, partners and participants for their contributions to the initiative.
He subsequently declared the maiden edition of the Defence Futures Summit 2026 open, expressing hope that its deliberations would contribute to building a more self-reliant and technologically empowered Nigerian defence sector.
About the Author
