By Bavoriat Clara
The Minister of Defence, Retired General Christopher Musa, has called for stronger collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to address Nigeria’s pressing national challenges through innovation, research and technology.
General Musa made the call while receiving the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN), who paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The meeting focused on building a strategic partnership between the defence sector and agencies under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to enhance research, innovation and technological advancement in support of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Speaking during the meeting, the Defence Minister stressed the importance of promoting self-financing innovation and indigenous technological development, noting that Nigeria must prioritize local production and research to reduce dependence on foreign technologies. He explained that stronger cooperation among MDAs would enable the country to develop practical solutions to critical national challenges.
General Musa also highlighted the importance of energy to military operations, revealing that many military barracks across the country currently face serious electricity challenges. He therefore called for deeper collaboration with agencies under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, particularly the Energy Commission of Nigeria, to develop sustainable and reliable power solutions for military facilities.
According to him, a stable energy supply is vital for operational efficiency, improved living conditions for personnel and the effective functioning of military institutions. He added that partnership with relevant energy agencies would help the Ministry of Defence explore alternative and sustainable power solutions for barracks and other defence establishments.
The Defence Minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the science and technology community in areas such as research, innovation, capacity building and energy development in order to support the Armed Forces and enhance national security.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, who was accompanied by the Director-Generals of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and the Energy Commission of Nigeria, expressed readiness to partner with the Ministry of Defence.
He noted that the agencies under his ministry possess significant technological capacity and research capabilities that could support the defence sector. The Director-Generals also outlined several technological products and innovations that could be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
Both ministers agreed that stronger institutional partnerships would help harness Nigeria’s scientific potential and translate research outcomes into practical solutions that support national development and national security.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, directors from both ministries and other principal officers.
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