Odita Sunday 
Musa Urges Nigeria to Build Indigenous Defence Technology, Prepare Military for Modern Warfare
By Odita Sunday
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has called for increased investment in indigenous defence technology, warning that Nigeria’s long-term security cannot depend solely on foreign military systems as modern warfare increasingly relies on artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and unmanned aerial systems.
Musa made the call on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the graduation ceremony of Course 10/2026 of the Army War College Nigeria, where he challenged graduating officers to apply their training to the country’s security challenges and take a more active role in developing practical solutions for military operations.
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He said Nigeria needed to strengthen its capacity to develop, maintain and adapt defence systems to meet its operational needs, stressing that building a self-reliant defence sector would require closer collaboration among the Armed Forces, universities, research institutions, defence industries and Nigerian innovators.
According to the minister, the growing complexity of security threats demands military leaders who can anticipate danger, identify vulnerabilities and adapt quickly rather than wait for threats to emerge before responding.
He reminded the graduands that completing their nine months of intensive professional military education was not merely an academic achievement but the beginning of 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 said effective military leadership required more than professional competence, noting that officers must also demonstrate intellectual curiosity, sound judgement and the courage to make difficult decisions under pressure.
He identified artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, cyber capabilities and data analytics as areas in which Nigeria’s military institutions must develop stronger expertise to improve operational effectiveness.
The minister stressed that innovation should not be left to scientists, engineers and procurement specialists alone, arguing that commanders were often best placed to identify the practical challenges confronting troops and explain what solutions were needed.
He urged the graduating officers to identify operational gaps, communicate problems clearly and contribute to developing technologies and systems suited to the realities faced by personnel in the field.
While advocating greater local capacity, Musa said Nigeria would continue to strengthen cooperation with reliable international partners. He, however, maintained that the country must develop the expertise to understand, maintain and adapt the technologies on which its defence architecture depends.
He linked the drive to strengthen the Armed Forces to the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and called on military personnel to remain professional, loyal and committed to their duties.
Turning to the responsibilities awaiting the graduands, the minister reminded them that their education had required substantial investment from the nation, the Armed Forces and their families.
He urged them to justify that investment through integrity, better planning, stronger teamwork and a consistent commitment to accomplishing their assigned missions.
Musa also encouraged officers from different services and security agencies to maintain professional relationships and share knowledge, stressing that continued cooperation was essential to achieving common security objectives.
Congratulating the graduands, the minister expressed satisfaction with their overall performance, which he described as very good.
He commended the Commandant, faculty and staff of the Army War College Nigeria for their efforts in training military officers and acknowledged the sacrifices of families and well-wishers who had supported the graduands throughout their careers.
Musa also praised the Chief of Army Staff for improvements in the college’s infrastructure and educational facilities, saying he was impressed by the progress made since his previous visit.
He wished the graduating officers success in their future assignments and prayed for the continued progress of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its allied countries.
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