The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has urged Nigeria’s Armed Forces to embrace homegrown technology and innovation as a strategic foundation for national security and maritime defence.
Speaking at the Nigerian Navy Seminar on Research and Development held in Abuja on Thursday, Ogalla — represented by the Chief of Communication and Information Technology (Navy), Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje — cautioned that Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign suppliers for military hardware, spare parts, and technical expertise poses serious strategic risks.
“Our long-term security demands solutions developed by Nigerian minds, tailored to Nigerian realities, and manufactured by Nigerian industries,” Ogalla stated. “This is not about prestige; it is a matter of strategic necessity.”
The Naval Chief identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, cyber warfare tools, and satellite surveillance systems as critical technologies shaping modern maritime defence. He stressed that Nigeria must transition from being a consumer of imported technology to a co-creator of advanced naval systems capable of positioning the nation as a regional innovation leader.
Ogalla also highlighted radars, drones, secure communication systems, and navigation technologies as key areas requiring accelerated local research and production. He called for increased investment in shipbuilding, the retrofitting of legacy platforms using local expertise, and the establishment of technology incubation hubs through collaboration with the private sector.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by the Naval Dockyard Limited and Naval Shipyard Limited, Ogalla stressed the need for a more coordinated and sustained drive toward technological self-reliance.
“The battle for maritime security and dominance will no longer be won by numerical superiority alone,” he cautioned. “Our success will depend on superior innovation, intelligence, adaptability, and technological sophistication.”
Earlier, the Chief Transformation (Navy), Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, underscored the enduring influence of technology on military outcomes, noting that effective innovation has historically determined the success or failure of nations in conflict.
