Musa pushes AI, robotics, cybersecurity in defence reform plan

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called on the country’s tech community, including innovators, researchers and startups, to play a more active role in strengthening national security through locally developed solutions.

He made the appeal in Lagos during the Omniverse Africa 3.0 Summit, where he delivered a keynote address titled “The 70/30 Rule: Why Nigeria’s Security and Innovation Agendas are the Same National Project”, according to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde.

Musa argued that modern security challenges can no longer be addressed solely through traditional military equipment, stressing the need for Nigeria to move away from heavy reliance on imported defence technology and instead build its own capabilities.

He said the country must combine military strength with innovation, strategic foresight and industrial capacity, adding that the future of security would depend on technological advancement as much as operational strength.

According to him, the Ministry of Defence is already reviewing its policies, procurement systems and training frameworks to place greater emphasis on emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, robotics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, surveillance tools, secure communications, data-driven decision-making systems and local manufacturing capacity.

He linked the ongoing reforms to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on industrial growth and technological self-reliance.

Musa also highlighted reforms at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, saying they are intended to build a wider ecosystem where defence investment stimulates economic development, creates skilled jobs, supports academic research and opens new commercial opportunities in high-tech sectors.

During the summit, he also formally launched the Defence Futures Lab Pathway, a side initiative organised by Kryterion, a global firm specialising in secure testing, certification and remote proctoring services. The platform is designed to encourage deeper collaboration between defence stakeholders and the technology sector.

He clarified that the engagement was not aimed at procurement discussions but rather long-term capability development and strategic planning.

Participants agreed to reconvene in three months to evaluate progress, examine early technological ideas and align outcomes with national indigenous defence objectives.