Defence Chief Laments Low Domestic Production Capacity

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has identified low domestic defence production capacity, gaps in emerging technologies, and funding constraints as challenges confronting the Armed Forces in the fight against insecurity.

General Oluyede spoke on Tuesday at a high-level strategic seminar aimed at consolidating operational effectiveness through innovation, transformation and enhanced jointness in response to the evolving security landscape across the country.

A statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the seminar with the theme “Optimising the AFN’s Operational Capabilities through Transformation and Innovation: Issues and Prospects,” brought together senior military officers, academics, defence analysts, and subject-matter experts to examine practical pathways for strengthening national defence within a whole-of-government approach.

He said,  “The Defence Chief identified key challenges confronting the AFN, which include limited domestic defence production capacity, gaps in emerging technologies, and funding constraints amid competing national priorities”.

The Defence Chief emphasised that the increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous nature of the contemporary operating environment demands purposeful transformation and sustained innovation to maintain operational excellence.

“As the character of warfare continues to evolve and the operating environment remains volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, it is only through deliberate transformation and innovation that we can retain the operational edge required to secure our dear nation,” the CDS stated.

General Oluyede described innovation as a critical enabler of operational effectiveness, noting that modern military operations thrive on new ideas that enhance situational awareness, strengthen force protection, improve precision and accelerate decision-making cycles.

He further stressed that all transformation initiatives must remain firmly anchored on the CDS Military Strategic Philosophy, which seeks to consolidate the capabilities of the AFN through enhanced jointness, reinforced operational posture, improved welfare, and sound administration, all aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity.

He, however, expressed confidence that the prospects for sustainable transformation remain strong, given the commitment of personnel and increasing institutional focus on innovation.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jeff Adidun Ekwuribe, representing the Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, underscored the urgency of institutional adaptation in the face of emerging and asymmetric threats.

He observed that as the Armed Forces continue to operate across multiple theatres characterised by increasing complexity, it has become imperative for operational methods, systems, and doctrines to evolve at a pace faster than that of adversaries.

He charged participants to focus discussions on improving joint operational coordination, strengthening intelligence capabilities, modernising logistics frameworks and accelerating digital transformation across the services to achieve sustainable operational effectiveness.

Also speaking at the seminar, the resource person, Professor Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku, emphasised that technology alone is insufficient to drive military efficiency without a clear strategic vision, sound doctrine, and comprehensive institutional reforms.

She advocated the development of a long-term defence transformation strategy that embeds innovation as a core operational priority. She similarly called for stronger partnerships between the military, academic institutions, the private sector, and regional and international security institutions.

The seminar reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to transformation, jointness and innovation as essential pillars for sustaining national security and operational excellence.