Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to support specialised training for military officers in drone warfare, robotics, armament technology, and artificial intelligence, as part of efforts to reduce the country's dependence on imported military hardware.

Shaibu made the call on Tuesday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja during a visit by TETFund Executive Secretary, Sunday Echono.

The army chief stated that Nigeria's continued reliance on foreign arms procurement remained a strategic vulnerability that only deliberate investment in local human capital could reverse. "The more we continue importing arms, the more difficult it will remain for us until we begin producing our own," he noted.

Shaibu outlined the army's expectations from the partnership, stating, "The Nigerian Army would further engage TETFund in sponsoring specialised training programmes for officers in armament technology, drone warfare, robotics, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging defence technologies aimed at positioning the Nigerian Army to effectively dominate the modern battlespace and operate optimally at the highest professional standards and results driven operations."

He added that contemporary security challenges required a broader response than the military could provide alone. "Contemporary security threats demand a 'whole of society approach,' where academic innovation, technological advancement, and military capability are deliberately integrated," he stated.

Shaibu also disclosed that the army was already intensifying efforts in drone technology and armament development but acknowledged that a shortage of skilled manpower remained a significant obstacle. "We are pushing more in the area of drone warfare and armament development. We are also looking at sponsoring children to become pioneers in these areas, but the requisite manpower is lacking. So, we are seeking your help in that area," he said.

The army chief commended TETFund for its existing support to the Nigerian Army University, Biu, and the Nigerian Army College of Management Sciences, Makurdi.

Responding, Echono reaffirmed TETFund's readiness to deepen collaboration with the armed forces across advanced research, military intelligence, and emerging technologies. "We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the military. As technology advances, a lot of technological innovations are being carried out by the military, and we are looking forward to exploring areas such as robotics, Artificial Intelligence and other advancements being pioneered by the military," he stated.