Army seeks deeper TETFund partnership to boost local arms production, drone warfare capacity
The Nigerian Army has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity through deeper collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with a renewed focus on armament technology, drone warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence.
The Nigerian Army has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity through deeper collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with a renewed focus on armament technology, drone warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving Sunday Echono, Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The Army Chief said Nigeria must strategically invest in human capital development and advanced military research to reduce dependence on foreign military imports and accelerate local production of defence hardware.
According to him, building indigenous expertise in emerging military technologies has become increasingly important as global security threats continue to evolve in complexity and sophistication.
Shaibu commended TETFund for its sustained support to military educational institutions, particularly Nigerian Army University Biu and Nigerian Army College of Management Science, noting that the institutions are playing strategic roles in producing highly skilled personnel for the Nigerian Army’s operational and administrative needs.
He revealed that the Army plans to further engage TETFund in sponsoring specialised training programmes for officers in critical areas including armament technology, drone warfare, robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
The COAS explained that the initiative is aimed at positioning the Nigerian Army to effectively confront emerging security threats and improve operational efficiency through technologically driven warfare systems.
“The modern security environment requires a whole-of-society approach where academic innovation, technological advancement and military capability are deliberately integrated,” he said.
Shaibu stressed that strengthening local expertise in drone technology and armament systems would provide Nigeria with the intellectual and technical foundation needed for indigenous manufacturing of military hardware, while also enhancing national self-reliance and long-term operational sustainability.
In his remarks, Echono reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Armed Forces in the areas of advanced research, innovation, military intelligence and emerging technologies.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Armed Forces to Nigeria’s educational development through various tri-service institutions and pledged continued support for research-driven initiatives capable of delivering strategic breakthroughs in national security and technological advancement.
According to him, TETFund remains committed to supporting programmes that will not only strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture but also contribute significantly to national development.
