The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has urged innovators, researchers and startups to develop indigenous solutions capable of strengthening national security capabilities.
The Minister made the call at the Omniverse Africa 3.0 Summit in Lagos, stressing that future security demands a deliberate fusion of military capability, innovation, industrial growth and local expertise.
He outlined the need for Nigeria to move beyond dependence on external defence technologies by building domestic capacity in areas including unmanned systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, surveillance technology and secure communication systems.
READ ALSO: Defence Minister Seeks Sustained National Backing for Troops
The Minister linked the drive to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and creating a sustainable ecosystem where defence innovation supports national development.
The Minister launched the Defence Futures Lab Pathway, a platform designed to deepen cooperation between the Armed Forces and technology innovators.
The initiative, according to the minister, is structured around developing concepts and solutions that can strengthen Nigeria’s future security architecture rather than serving only as a procurement channel.
The platform is expected to continue discussions over the coming months as stakeholders assess emerging solutions and align them with national defence priorities.
The engagement focused on connecting Nigeria’s technology ecosystem with national security priorities through research, collaboration and practical capability development.
