In a decisive address to military leadership, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has outlined an urgent roadmap for modernizing the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). Faced with a complex and rapidly evolving threat landscape, the military is intensifying its focus on deep transformation, technological innovation, and seamless joint operations to secure the nation’s future.
Speaking at the Fourth Quarter AFN Transformation and Innovation Seminar in Abuja, Gen. Oluyede (represented by AVM Idi Sani) framed the challenge in stark terms: “Transformation is an operational necessity, not an option.” This declaration underscores a fundamental shift in mindset, recognizing that the changing character of warfare demands an agile, adaptive, and forward-looking military institution.
The Converging Threat Landscape: Why Change is Non-Negotiable
The CDS highlighted a global security environment where conventional and non-conventional threats intersect in unprecedented ways. For Nigeria, this convergence is a daily reality. The battlefield is no longer defined solely by physical terrain; it now extends into cyberspace, the information domain, and the social fabric of the nation.
Insurgents and violent non-state actors are increasingly leveraging cheap, accessible technology—such as commercial drones for surveillance or social media for propaganda and recruitment—blurring the lines between military and civilian spheres. To maintain operational superiority, the AFN must continuously evolve its doctrines, modernize its platforms, and integrate emerging technologies at a pace that matches or exceeds that of its adversaries.
The Pillars of a Future-Ready Force
Gen. Oluyede’s vision rests on three interconnected pillars:
1. Innovation as a Critical Enabler: The seminar identified key technological frontiers that are reshaping modern battlefields globally. These include:
– Unmanned Systems & Autonomous Platforms: For intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and targeted operations in high-risk areas.
– Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Analytics: To process vast amounts of intelligence data, predict adversary movements, and support faster, more informed decision-making.
– Space-based Technologies: Enhancing communication, navigation, and earth observation capabilities for nationwide operations.
The commitment to indigenous research and development is crucial. By strengthening partnerships with Nigerian academia and industry, the AFN aims to foster homegrown solutions that are tailored to local challenges, reduce dependence on foreign imports, and stimulate the national defence industrial base.
2. Joint Operations as a Force Multiplier: The current leadership philosophy explicitly anchors on “enhanced joint operations.” This means breaking down inter-service silos between the Army, Navy, and Air Force to create a truly integrated, unified force. In practice, this could involve joint command centers for theatre operations, standardized communication systems, and cross-training of personnel to ensure seamless coordination—a vital advantage against agile, non-state threats that do not recognize service boundaries.
3. The Human Factor: Welfare and Continuous Development: Technology is futile without a skilled and motivated operator. The CDS emphasized that personnel welfare and continuous professional development are essential to sustaining morale, discipline, and the will to fight. Investing in the soldier means not only providing for their well-being but also relentlessly upskilling them to operate and maintain increasingly sophisticated systems, turning personnel from mere users into innovators themselves.
Acknowledging the Roadblocks
The path forward is not without significant hurdles. Gen. Oluyede candidly acknowledged challenges including:
– Limited domestic production of defence equipment.
– Funding constraints for large-scale modernization.
– Capacity gaps in emerging technologies.
– The persistent, adaptive nature of asymmetric threats.
These are formidable obstacles, but the seminar’s theme—“Optimising Nigeria’s Operational Capabilities through Transformation and Innovation: Issues and Prospects”—suggests a clear-eyed approach: confronting the “Issues” to realize the “Prospects.”
The Path Ahead: From Philosophy to Action
As articulated by the acting Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, AVM Jeff Ekwuribe, transformation represents a continuous shift in mindset, posture, capability, and institutional culture. It is not a one-time project but a permanent state of adaptation. Innovation provides the concrete tools and ideas to fuel this change.
The ultimate goal, as expressed by the CDS, is a “balanced, resilient, and mission-ready force.” With the right reforms, stronger strategic partnerships, and a sustained commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, the AFN aims to evolve into a technologically-advanced force capable of decisively addressing both present crises and the emerging threats of tomorrow. This seminar serves as a critical strategic platform, signaling that Nigeria’s military leadership is actively shaping its future, rather than being shaped by events.
