The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has called on Nigerian innovators, researchers, and technology startups to channel their expertise toward developing indigenous solutions to the country’s growing security challenges.
Speaking at the Omniverse Africa 3.0 Summit in Lagos, the Defence Minister emphasized that national security in the modern era requires more than conventional military equipment, stressing the importance of technology and innovation in safeguarding the nation.
Delivering a keynote address titled “The 70/30 Rule: Why Nigeria’s Security and Innovation Agendas are the Same National Project,” General Musa urged Nigeria to move from being a consumer of defence technology to becoming a producer of advanced security solutions.
He noted that while the courage and commitment of the armed forces remain vital, the future of national defence depends on integrating technology, industrial capability, strategic foresight, and innovation into security operations.
The Minister revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently restructuring its doctrine, procurement processes, and training programmes to prioritize emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, robotics, surveillance platforms, cybersecurity, secure communications, artificial intelligence governance, and advanced manufacturing.
General Musa explained that these reforms align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to drive industrialisation, economic growth, and technological advancement across the country.
He further disclosed that ongoing reforms at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) are aimed at creating a robust defence-industrial ecosystem capable of generating high-tech jobs, supporting university research, attracting investment, and opening new commercial opportunities.
As part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the military and the technology community, the Minister launched the Defence Futures Lab Pathway, a platform designed to foster innovation, strategic planning, and long-term capability development within Nigeria’s defence sector.
The summit concluded with stakeholders agreeing to reconvene in three months to evaluate progress, review emerging technology concepts, and ensure alignment with the Federal Government’s strategy for building a strong indigenous defence and security industry.
