🇳🇬 Nigerian Army Seeks PTDF Partnership To Build Indigenous Drone Technology Capacity

 

The Nigerian Army is seeking stronger institutional partnerships to develop indigenous technological capacity, particularly in unmanned aerial systems and drone technology, as part of efforts to strengthen national security and reduce dependence on foreign military training.

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 18 September 2026
Time: 20:06 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Friday, 18 September 2026, during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund in Abuja, as contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on the same date.

General Shaibu highlighted the need to build a pool of specialised Nigerian expertise capable of developing and advancing unmanned aerial systems for application against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

He formally requested specialised training for Nigerian Army personnel from the PTDF, citing the Fund’s established role in human capacity development.

“This will help us establish indigenous companies for the development of unmanned aerial systems and reduce reliance on foreign military training,” the COAS said.

The Army Chief also acknowledged PTDF’s continued support for Command Secondary Schools, while stressing the importance of strengthening local technological and human-resource capacity.

The Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Professor Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and outlined ongoing collaboration under the PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Professor Aliyu also pledged to establish a modern Information and Communication Technology centre for digital skills training at the proposed Command Science Secondary School in Kaduna.

He further called for increased cooperation with the Nigerian Army to protect PTDF’s strategic national assets and regional centres of excellence in Kaduna and Afam.

The PTDF Executive Secretary advocated the establishment of a formal security framework between the two institutions to support rapid emergency response and safeguard personnel, students and critical infrastructure.

Tags: Nigerian Army, PTDF, Drone Technology, Local Technology, National Security, Defence Training

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