By 
By Osasome C.O
Buratai Calls for AI-Powered Military as Nigeria Accelerates Defence Modernisation
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has called on the Federal Government to significantly increase investment in advanced military technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), drone warfare, cyber operations, missile defence and electronic warfare—to position Nigeria for the rapidly evolving nature of global conflict.
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In a strategic policy paper titled “A New Dawn for Nigerian Defence: The Strategic Expansion of the Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions,” Buratai argued that future conflicts will be defined less by the size of conventional armies and more by technological superiority, intelligence dominance and precision strike capabilities.
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His recommendations come at a time when Nigeria is embarking on one of the most ambitious military restructuring programmes in its history, including the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and growing national efforts to build indigenous defence technology capabilities.
Future Warfare Will Be Technology-Driven
According to Buratai, modern warfare is rapidly evolving beyond conventional combat to become increasingly dependent on intelligent systems, autonomous platforms and information dominance.
He warned that military success in future conflicts would rely heavily on technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones
- Precision-guided strike systems
- Cyber warfare
- Electronic warfare
- Missile defence systems
- Advanced battlefield communications
He stressed that force modernisation must become a strategic national priority if Nigeria is to remain ahead of emerging security threats.
Buratai
“Future warfare will increasingly depend on technology. Force modernisation is therefore critical to Nigeria’s national security,” Buratai stated.
Proposal Supports Expansion of Nigerian Army
Buratai’s recommendations complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, a major restructuring initiative designed to improve operational effectiveness and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to diverse security challenges.
The expansion will reportedly add approximately 28,000 personnel, while establishing new divisions in:
- Makurdi
- Ilorin
- Jalingo
- Benin City
According to Buratai, increasing troop numbers alone will not guarantee future military success unless supported by advanced technology and specialised operational capabilities.
Call for Dedicated Drone, Cyber and Missile Defence Commands
A key recommendation in Buratai’s proposal is the establishment of specialised military formations dedicated exclusively to emerging warfare domains.
He proposed creating commands focused on:
- Drone warfare
- Missile defence
- Cyber operations
- Information warfare
- Electronic warfare
According to him, these specialised formations would provide Nigeria with the operational flexibility needed to confront evolving threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency to cyberattacks and unmanned aerial systems.
He argued that investment in these capabilities today would determine Nigeria’s defence readiness over the coming decades.
Modern Force Multipliers Needed
Buratai identified several strategic technologies that should receive priority government investment.
These include:
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Advanced ISR drones capable of real-time battlefield intelligence would significantly improve military situational awareness and operational planning.
Precision Strike Capabilities
Precision-guided weapons would enhance operational effectiveness while reducing civilian casualties and collateral damage during military operations.
Electronic Warfare
Electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting enemy communications and neutralising hostile electronic infrastructure are increasingly becoming indispensable on modern battlefields.
Cyber Defence
With cyberattacks now targeting governments, military installations and critical infrastructure globally, Buratai called for stronger investments in offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.
Communications and Logistics
He also advocated for improvements in:
- Tactical communication systems
- Armoured platforms
- Combat engineering assets
- Logistics infrastructure
According to him, these investments would transform the Nigerian Army into a more agile, technology-driven and information-enabled force.
Nigeria’s Defence Modernisation Gathering Momentum
Buratai’s recommendations align with a broader shift underway within Nigeria’s defence architecture.
Military authorities have increasingly embraced technology-driven warfare as security challenges become more sophisticated.
Several developments illustrate this transition.
Rise of Indigenous Drone Manufacturing
Nigeria is gradually shifting from dependence on imported military drones towards domestic production.
Local defence technology firms including:
- UNICCON Group
- Briech UAS
- Terra Industries
have begun developing indigenous unmanned aerial systems ranging from surveillance drones to loitering munitions and precision-strike platforms.
Some manufacturers report increasing local content, reducing dependence on foreign defence supply chains while strengthening Nigeria’s defence industrial base.
Institutionalising Drone Warfare
The Nigerian Army has increasingly integrated unmanned aerial systems into military operations.
Drone deployment is becoming central to intelligence gathering, battlefield surveillance, reconnaissance and tactical support against insurgent and criminal networks operating across different theatres.
Industry observers note that integrating drone operations with conventional infantry tactics significantly enhances operational effectiveness.
Expanding Cyber Warfare Capabilities
Nigeria’s military leadership has also recognised cyberspace as a critical operational domain.
As terrorist groups and organised criminal networks increasingly exploit digital technologies, cybersecurity and electronic warfare have become integral components of national defence planning.
Strategic proposals now recommend dedicated formations capable of:
- Countering cyber threats
- Conducting electronic warfare
- Protecting critical digital infrastructure
- Monitoring hostile digital activities
- Neutralising rogue drone operations
Building Missile and Counter-Drone Defence
Growing concerns over aerial threats have intensified calls for stronger missile and anti-drone capabilities.
Recent initiatives, including the development of the Hybrid Intelligence Shield (HIS) project, demonstrate Nigeria’s increasing focus on AI-enabled surveillance systems capable of detecting, tracking and neutralising hostile unmanned aircraft.
Analysts believe integrated missile defence and counter-drone systems will become increasingly important for protecting military installations, airports, energy infrastructure and urban centres.
Why Buratai’s Recommendations Matter
The former Army Chief’s proposals extend beyond military procurement and have wider implications for Nigeria’s security, economy and technological development.
National Security
Advanced technologies would improve intelligence gathering, enhance operational precision and strengthen Nigeria’s ability to counter terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and cyber threats.
Defence Industrialisation
Greater investment in indigenous defence manufacturing could stimulate local production of drones, surveillance technologies, communications systems and other strategic equipment, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Technology Ecosystem
Military investments in AI, robotics, cybersecurity and autonomous systems could accelerate innovation across Nigeria’s broader technology sector while creating opportunities for universities, research institutions and private technology companies.
Economic Impact
Local production of defence technologies has the potential to create high-skilled jobs, strengthen engineering capabilities and support Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional hub for defence technology manufacturing.
Regional Leadership
A technologically advanced military would reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in African peacekeeping, regional security operations and international defence cooperation.
Preparing Nigeria for the Next Generation of Warfare
Security experts increasingly agree that future conflicts will be characterised by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber operations, precision weapons and information superiority rather than conventional troop deployments alone.
Buratai’s strategic roadmap reflects this global shift, arguing that Nigeria must invest today in the technologies that will define tomorrow’s battlefields.
As the country simultaneously expands its military structure, strengthens indigenous defence manufacturing and embraces digital transformation, sustained investment in advanced military technologies could significantly enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities while supporting broader national objectives of technological innovation, industrial development and strategic security resilience.
