Olufemi Oluyede
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged Nigerian universities and research institutions to deepen collaboration with the Armed Forces in order to boost indigenous innovation and strengthen the country’s defence capability.
He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the Fourth Quarter Defence Headquarters and Services Departments/Branches Directorate of Transformation Seminar, where he was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani.
According to the CDS, the character of modern warfare is rapidly changing, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, space-based assets, data analytics, robotics and autonomous systems. He stressed that the Armed Forces must embrace home-grown research and technology if they are to remain effective and competitive.
Gen. Oluyede said closer partnerships with academia, industry players and other stakeholders would help the military develop solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique security challenges, while also building the skills required for future battlefields.
“To remain operationally relevant, we must prioritise indigenous research and development, strengthen cooperation with universities and industry, and invest in capacity building for our personnel,” he said. “Innovation and transformation are no longer optional; they are necessities.”
The defence chief noted that today’s security environment is marked by volatility, uncertainty and complexity, with conventional threats intersecting with terrorism, insurgency, cyber warfare and information operations. These, he said, demand a military that is agile, adaptive and forward-looking.
He added that maintaining operational superiority would require a review of existing doctrines, modernisation of equipment, expansion of capabilities and the integration of emerging technologies into military processes.
Gen. Oluyede also emphasised that transformation goes beyond technology, pointing out that improved welfare, training, housing and medical care for personnel are critical to sustaining morale and combat readiness.
“Transforming the Armed Forces also means transforming the lives of our personnel,” he said. “When welfare and career development are prioritised, discipline, loyalty and commitment are strengthened.”
He expressed confidence that with sustained innovation, local research and strategic partnerships, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to fulfil their constitutional responsibility of defending the nation’s sovereignty and ensuring national stability in the face of evolving threats.
