By Odita Sunday
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has called for stronger adoption of emerging technologies and an integrated defence strategy to enable Nigeria to effectively respond to evolving security threats.
Musa made the call on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while speaking at the 2nd Policy Colloquium 2026, themed, “Securing the Frontier: Strategic Defence Architecture, Emerging Technologies and Democratic Integrity in Nigeria.”
He said Nigeria’s defence and security environment had become increasingly complex, requiring renewed strategic thinking, institutional adaptation and sustained national commitment.
According to him, contemporary threats require the country to continually reassess its capabilities, strengthen preparedness and anticipate developments capable of affecting national interests.
He said the theme of the colloquium was particularly relevant to the country’s security realities, stressing the need for a defence posture that could respond to changing threats, harness technological advancement and reinforce institutions supporting national security and democratic governance.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security and providing the Armed Forces with the capabilities required to protect the country.
He said the Ministry of Defence remained focused on strengthening defence capabilities, advancing military modernisation and ensuring that the Armed Forces were adequately positioned to respond to emerging security challenges.
Musa noted that Nigeria’s strategic frontier now extended across land, maritime, air and cyber domains, making an integrated defence posture essential.
He identified technology as an increasingly decisive factor in defence and national security, citing rapid developments in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber capabilities and other emerging technologies.
Musa said Nigeria must remain at the forefront of these developments by investing in relevant technologies while building the human, doctrinal and institutional capacity required to integrate them into military operations.
“Addressing these challenges requires a more integrated defence posture, supported by effective intelligence coordination, joint operations and interoperability across the Armed Forces and other relevant security institutions.
“Technology is increasingly becoming a decisive factor in defence and national security. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber capabilities and other emerging technologies are transforming military operations and altering the strategic environment.
“Nigeria must therefore remain at the forefront of these developments by investing in relevant technologies and strengthening the human, doctrinal and institutional capacity required to integrate them into our defence capabilities. This is essential to maintaining operational advantage and preparing the Armed Forces for future security challenges. The advancement of technology also underscores the strategic importance of strengthening Nigeria’s defence industrial base,” he said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s defence architecture must remain “agile and forward looking”, with the capacity to anticipate threats, respond decisively and protect the country’s territorial integrity and vital national interests.
He also underscored the strategic importance of strengthening Nigeria’s defence industrial base as the country seeks to improve its capacity to develop and integrate technologies relevant to national security.
Musa expressed confidence that deliberations at the colloquium would produce practical recommendations capable of strengthening Nigeria’s strategic defence posture.
He commended the organisers for sustaining the platform for national security discourse and expressed optimism that the outcomes would contribute to securing Nigeria’s strategic frontier and improving the country’s capacity to confront emerging threats.
He thereafter declared the 2nd Policy Colloquium 2026 open.
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