The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s strategic drive toward local production of military hardware, positioning human capital development and defence research as central pillars for reducing dependence on foreign arms procurement.
Desk: Defence & Technology Development
Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Time: 22:10 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
The Army leadership made the position known on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sunday Echono, at Army Headquarters.
Strategic Shift Toward Indigenous Defence Capability
Within the Army’s institutional direction, the COAS emphasised that sustained investment in research, innovation and advanced technical training remains critical to building a self-reliant defence ecosystem capable of meeting modern battlefield demands.
He highlighted ongoing collaboration with TETFund-supported institutions, including the Nigerian Army University Biu and the Nigerian Army College of Management Sciences, as key platforms for developing specialised military manpower.
The Army leadership further noted that these institutions are increasingly central to producing personnel equipped for emerging domains of warfare and defence administration.
Focus On Drone Warfare, AI And Armament Technology
Lieutenant General Shaibu underscored plans to expand specialised training programmes in drone warfare, robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced armament technology as part of a broader modernization agenda.
The Army’s strategic intent, according to institutional direction, is to develop indigenous capacity that can support domestic manufacturing of military hardware and enhance operational independence across theatres.
The COAS maintained that evolving security challenges demand deeper integration between academia, technology institutions and military research structures under a whole-of-society defence innovation framework.
TETFund Reaffirms Commitment To Defence Innovation Support
In response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sunday Echono, reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces in research, innovation and advanced technological development.
TETFund leadership acknowledged the strategic role of military institutions in national development and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at advancing defence-related academic and technological breakthroughs.
The partnership is expected to deepen collaboration between the military and tertiary education sector in areas of intelligence development, innovation systems and emerging defence technologies.
The Army reaffirmed that strengthening indigenous defence production capacity remains a long-term priority aligned with national security and operational sustainability objectives.
🏷️ Tags: Nigerian Army, COAS Waidi Shaibu, TETFund, Defence Technology, Drone Warfare, Armament Production, Military Innovation, AI Defence Systems, NAUB, NACMS
#Nigeria #NigerianArmy #TETFund #DefenceInnovation #DroneWarfare #MilitaryTechnology #AI #NationalSecurity #LocalProduction #ZigDiaries
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