Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, has called for increased investment in advanced military technologies to prepare the Nigerian Army for future security threats.
Buratai said Nigeria should prioritise capabilities in drone warfare, cyber operations, missile defence and other emerging areas of modern combat.
He made the recommendations in a paper titled, “A New Dawn for Nigerian Defence: The Strategic Expansion of the Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions.”
The document was made available to journalists on Monday.
According to the former army chief, future conflicts will increasingly be shaped by technology, intelligence and precision systems rather than conventional weapons alone.
He said the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army should therefore be supported by sustained modernisation and the acquisition of advanced defence equipment.
Buratai identified intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones as critical tools for monitoring hostile movements and improving battlefield awareness.
He also recommended investment in precision-strike systems, electronic warfare equipment and stronger cyber-defence infrastructure.
Other priority areas listed by the former army chief included advanced communication systems, armoured vehicles, military engineering equipment and logistics assets.
Buratai said these capabilities would improve coordination, mobility and operational effectiveness across different theatres of conflict.
He also proposed the creation of specialised military formations focused on missile defence, drone warfare, cyber operations and information warfare.
According to him, these areas are likely to play an increasingly important role in armed conflicts and should receive early policy and financial attention.
The retired general said modern force multipliers could transform the Nigerian Army into a more technologically advanced and intelligence-led institution.
He urged the Federal Government to maintain long-term investment in military modernisation to ensure that the armed forces remained prepared for evolving security challenges.
Buratai argued that technological superiority would improve the accuracy of military operations and reduce avoidable casualties.
He added that modern systems would strengthen the Army’s ability to respond more effectively to terrorism, insurgency and other emerging threats.
The former army chief said combining troop expansion with advanced technology would better position the Nigerian Army for future defence responsibilities.
