The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has confused the necessity for elevated investment in indigenous defence technology, local manufacturing, synthetic intelligence and strategic partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s nationwide security and cut back dependence on international sources for essential defence capabilities.
He made the decision on the maiden version of the Defence Futures Summit 2026, themed “Sovereign Digital Backbone and Defence Innovation”, held on October 14, 2026, on the Armed Forces Event and Multipurpose Centre in Asokoro, Abuja.
In an announcement, Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations on the ministry, mentioned Musa described the initiative as a landmark platform for advancing defence innovation, strengthening technological sovereignty and reworking Nigeria’s defence structure. He urged Nigerians to proceed making deliberate sacrifices to unite the nation and enhance its technological capabilities.
Musa mentioned that though data and communication technology, synthetic intelligence and different rising applied sciences had been nonetheless growing inside Nigeria’s defence ecosystem, the nation possessed the mental capability, human assets and modern potential to compete in the evolving international defence atmosphere.
He mentioned the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to be certain that Nigeria doesn’t merely undertake rising defence applied sciences however actively contributes to shaping the way forward for defence capabilities. He added that it mirrored the administration’s dedication to strengthening nationwide security, innovation and self-reliance.
The minister mentioned “the summit was conceived as one of the initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s security architecture and positioning the country to anticipate emerging threats rather than merely react to changes in the character of modern warfare”.
He defined, “Nigeria’s strategy must therefore extend beyond conventional military hardware to encompass the knowledge system and technological infrastructure required to support modern military operations.”
He reiterated that Nigeria couldn’t afford to stay perpetually depending on exterior sources for essential defence applied sciences, calling for sustained investment in human capability improvement, local innovators, defence industries and analysis establishments.
Musa mentioned collaboration with the personal sector was important to constructing a resilient defence industrial base able to translating Nigerian ingenuity into operational capabilities for the armed forces.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria possessed the expertise, ambition {and professional} know-how required to drive defence innovation in line with worldwide requirements.
He pledged the ministry’s dedication to supporting initiatives that strengthen indigenous capability, encourage technological innovation and advance efforts in the direction of a extra resilient and self-reliant defence sector.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the founder and convener of the Defence Futures Summit, retired Colonel Felix Alaita, mentioned the summit underscored the necessity for a complete Defence Renewal Architecture linking the nation’s security priorities with industrial improvement, analysis establishments, private-sector experience and the artistic potential of younger Nigerians.
“The initiative is designed to improve operational readiness, strengthen institutional accountability and promote the responsible adoption of technology in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges” he added.
Alaita additional said that the Defence Renewal Architecture was anchored on 4 pillars: enhancing operational readiness and security response; strengthening the indigenous defence trade; investing in human capital and youth improvement; and strengthening social understanding and the artistic financial system.
He known as for stronger collaboration among the many authorities, trade, academia and worldwide companions to promote indigenous technology in manufacturing, vitality, battery improvement and plane manufacturing, leveraging the experience of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Alaita additionally confused the necessity for youth empowerment, expertise improvement, job creation and knowledge-sharing. He urged contributors to suggest sensible options to Nigeria’s challenges and be certain that discussions translated into concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
