The Nigerian Army is set to deepen its strategic partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to advance local defence production, specifically targeting specialised training in armament technology and drone warfare.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, announced the initiative on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sunday Echono, to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
General Shaibu emphasised that strategic investment in human capital and cutting-edge military research is essential to breaking Nigeria’s reliance on foreign military imports and accelerating the country’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
During the meeting, General Shaibu expressed appreciation to TETFund for its consistent infrastructural and academic interventions at key military institutions, including the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB) and the Nigerian Army College of Management Science (NACMS) in Makurdi.
He noted that these institutions are vital in developing the highly skilled manpower required to navigate the complex operational and administrative challenges facing the military today.
Looking forward, the COAS revealed plans to leverage TETFund’s resources to sponsor specialised training programs for personnel in robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone systems, and advanced armament engineering. He stressed that mastering these emerging defence technologies is crucial for modern battlespace dominance and maintaining high operational standards.
Reflecting on the rapidly shifting global security landscape, General Shaibu advocated for a “whole-of-society approach” that deliberately fuses academic innovation with military execution. Cultivating local expertise in drone and weapons technology, he argued, will establish a strong intellectual foundation to drive the local manufacturing of hardware and ensure long-term operational sustainability.
In response, Arc. Sunday Echono reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to broadening its collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly in advanced research, intelligence gathering, and innovation.
Echono praised the military’s ongoing contributions to the nation’s educational landscape through its tri-service institutions, stating that the Fund remains dedicated to backing projects that yield strategic breakthroughs for both national security and broader development goals.
