MONACO – The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to modernizing the Nigerian Armed Forces by prioritizing strategic international partnerships, technology transfer, and the development of local industrial capacity.
The Honorable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), disclosed this during a high-level working visit to Monaco. Accompanied by senior ministry officials, the Minister engaged with MARSS UK Ltd and its Nigerian partner, MPS Mikopowers Ltd, regarding the implementation of the proposed Multi-domain Hybrid Intelligence Shield (HIS) project.
Enhancing National Defence Architecture
The visit centered on technical engagements and live demonstrations of advanced command, control, and surveillance technologies. According to the Minister, the initiative is designed to bolster Nigeria’s national defence architecture against a variety of modern threats.
”We must leverage technology for intelligence, surveillance, and recurring service,” General Musa stated. “We have partners and allies ready to support us, and we will work together as a team to address emerging security challenges.”
The Minister highlighted several key areas of focus for the new technology, including:
- Counter-Terrorism: Improved detection and response.
- Border Security: Strengthening the nation’s frontiers against illegal entry.
- Resource Protection: Curbing illegal mining and piracy.
- UAS Threats: Addressing the growing danger posed by unmanned aerial systems (drones).
Technical Demonstrations and Training
During the visit, the Nigerian delegation observed live tests of the NiDAR integrated command and control system. The demonstrations featured:
- AI-enabled threat identification.
- Radar detection and drone interception capabilities.
- Integrated national command and control solutions.
Beyond hardware, the discussions touched on the establishment of national and regional command centers, mobile response units, and a dedicated Centre of Excellence for simulation, training, and doctrine development.
Long-Term Strategic Goals
A primary objective of the engagement is to ensure that international expertise translates into indigenous operational capacity. General Musa emphasized that the Ministry of Defence, acting as the “strategic brain” of the nation’s security, must foster local production and long-term partnership arrangements with global stakeholders.
The delegation was received by representatives of MARSS UK Ltd and MPS Mikopowers Ltd, who presented mobile surveillance platforms and border security solutions tailored to Nigeria’s specific security environment. This visit is part of a broader “defence diplomacy” initiative aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination and promoting regional stability.
