The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for strategic investment in human capital development and military research to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign military imports and strengthen local defence production.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sunday Echono, at the Army Headquarters.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said stronger collaboration between the military and academia was critical to addressing evolving security threats and building indigenous capacity.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army would deepen engagement with TETFund through specialised training programmes in emerging defence technologies.
“The Nigerian Army would further engage TETFund in sponsoring specialised training programmes for officers in armament technology, drone warfare, robotics, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging defence technologies aimed at positioning the Nigerian Army to effectively dominate the modern battlespace and operate optimally at the highest professional standards and results-driven operations,” he said.
Shaibu also described the changing security environment as one that requires broader collaboration beyond the military alone.
“Contemporary security threats demand a ‘whole-of-society approach,’ where academic innovation, technological advancement, and military capability are deliberately integrated,” he said.
He added that developing indigenous expertise would strengthen Nigeria’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and improve operational sustainability.
Highlighting existing collaboration, the COAS commended TETFund for its support to military institutions, particularly the Nigerian Army University, Biu, and the Nigerian Army College of Management Sciences, Makurdi.
In response, the TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sunday Echono “reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to expanding collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces in the areas of advanced research, military intelligence, innovation and emerging technologies,” the statement said.
He also acknowledged the military’s contribution to education and national development through its institutions.
