The Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, acknowledged the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology within a complex security landscape, emphasising its critical role as a “force multiplier” in national defence architecture.
Dr. Matawalle made these remarks in his address at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) Annual Conference, held at the NAOWA School in Abuja, as reported by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
The CDI Conference, scheduled to run from 11 to 15 November 2024, brings together Nigeria’s leading defence intelligence experts, Defence Attachés, and Advisors from allied countries to discuss and strategise on the evolving role of technology in enhancing national and regional security.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Exploring the Role of Technology in Strengthening National and Regional Security,” the Minister highlighted the challenges Nigeria faces in maintaining security and stability, acknowledging the contributions of Nigeria’s Defence Attachés, state intelligence officers, and diplomats in addressing both internal and external threats.
He noted, “As we navigate an increasingly complex security environment, technology offers us both opportunities and challenges. For any nation’s defence strategy to succeed, it must integrate technology into every facet of its security apparatus.”
Dr. Matawalle stressed, “Intelligence remains vital to our security strategy. It equips our civilian and military leaders with the situational awareness needed to protect our citizens and safeguard our national interests.”
He encouraged the Defence Attachés and Advisors to approach their roles with heightened ethical responsibility, particularly in international engagements, urging them to utilise technology within the bounds of international law to foster diplomatic relations and safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty.
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“We must leverage technology ethically and strategically in our diplomatic engagements to ensure Nigeria’s security and stability on both national and regional fronts,” he said.
Dr. Matawalle called upon all conference participants to re-dedicate themselves to serving Nigeria with excellence, urging them to remain vigilant and to consider global, regional, and national dynamics in their efforts to represent the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Ministry of Defence, and Nigeria.
Dr. Matawalle expressed hope that the conference would yield actionable insights for enhancing Nigeria’s national security and defence posture, extending his best wishes to all attendees for productive discussions.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, noted that the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced significant changes across the global intelligence landscape, necessitating a reconsideration of safety and security perceptions at individual, group, and national levels.
According to the Defence Intelligence Chief, while the nature of threats facing Nigeria remains the same, their potency, prevalence, frequency, and intensity have been on the rise due to the unprecedented activities of adversaries.
“However, our armed forces, gallant as they are, and our sister security agencies, continue to stand as the bastion of defence, protection, and success in safeguarding the lives and wellbeing of our great country and its citizens,” the CDI Chief stated.
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