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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Technology

Army seeks TETFund support for AI, defence technologies training

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Nigerian Army seeks support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to enhance training in artificial intelligence and defense technologies.
  • The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign military imports and boost local defense production.
  • Collaboration between the military and academia is seen as crucial for addressing evolving security threats and building indigenous capacity.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is calling for strategic investment in human capital development and military research to decrease Nigeria's dependence on foreign military imports and strengthen its domestic defense production capabilities. He made this appeal during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sunday Echono, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

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.

— Lieutenant General Waidi ShaibuOutlining the army's plan to collaborate with TETFund on specialized training.

Shaibu emphasized the critical need for stronger collaboration between the military and academic institutions to effectively address contemporary security challenges and foster indigenous capacity. He stated that the Nigerian Army intends to deepen its engagement with TETFund by sponsoring specialized training programs for officers in areas such as armament technology, drone warfare, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence. These initiatives aim to position the Nigerian Army to dominate modern battlefields and operate with optimal professionalism and results-driven efficiency.

The Army Chief highlighted that the evolving security environment necessitates broader collaboration beyond the military sphere, advocating for a "whole-of-society approach" that integrates academic innovation, technological advancement, and military capabilities. He believes that developing indigenous expertise is key to strengthening Nigeria's self-reliance in defense manufacturing and ensuring operational sustainability.

Contemporary security threats demand a ‘whole-of-society approach,’ where academic innovation, technological advancement, and military capability are deliberately integrated.

— Lieutenant General Waidi ShaibuStressing the need for integrated societal efforts to address security threats.

In response, TETFund Executive Secretary Arc. Sunday Echono reaffirmed the Fund's commitment to expanding its collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces. This expanded partnership will focus on advanced research, military intelligence, innovation, and emerging technologies. Echono also acknowledged the significant contributions of military institutions to education and national development.

reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to expanding collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces in the areas of advanced research, military intelligence, innovation and emerging technologies.

— Arc. Sunday EchonoResponding to the Army's request for support and collaboration.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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