President Bola Tinubu has announced his administration's commitment to modernising the Nigerian Army through emerging technologies and homegrown defence innovations.
Tinubu's pledge was as the Chief of Army Staff warned that footprints of foreign jihadists had already been detected across the country's borders.
He made the promise on Monday at the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the theme: "Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army."
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said his administration was firmly committed to countering contemporary security threats through the adoption of emerging technologies and capacity building across all battle spaces.
"My administration is firmly committed to countering contemporary threats through the adoption of emerging technologies and the building of capacity across all battle spaces, thereby improving operational planning and combat readiness.
"Accordingly, efforts aimed at sustained research and development in the Armed Forces, advancing technology and strengthening homegrown innovations are steadily progressing," he said.
The President placed the revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) at the centre of his administration's defence ambitions, saying the body's partnership with the African Land Forces Forum promised fresh momentum for local production and skilled employment.
"The revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria stands at the heart of this ambition, and the partnership represented by this forum promises fresh momentum for local production, the creation of skilled employment, and the confidence that grows from a nation able to arm itself," he said.
Tinubu also identified cybersecurity resilience, climate-induced security risks and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as areas requiring strategic attention, and commended the Nigerian Army for its contributions to global peace and stability.
"To the officers and men of the Nigerian Army, you carry a trust that few are asked to bear, and you carry it with an honour that steadies the whole nation.
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"Serve the people with the same devotion you bring to defending them, for the uniform commands respect only when it protects the weak and upholds the dignity of every citizen," he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, said the Nigerian Army was alert to growing threats from across Nigeria's borders and vowed to confront them.
"It is also worth noting that the Nigerian Army is not oblivious to the dire security situation in neighbouring countries across the Sahel region.
"We have already noticed the footprints of foreign jihadists across our borders. However, I would like to assure us all that the Nigerian Army is alert and equal to the task," Shaibu said.
He stressed that over 80 per cent of Nigerian troops were currently committed to ongoing operations across the country, and drew a parallel between the Army's current challenges and those faced by previous generations during the World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) missions.
"The Nigerian Army of today will certainly prevail in confronting the security challenges of our generation," he said.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who hosted the event, congratulated the Army on its 163rd anniversary and called for improved welfare for military personnel, pledging the continued support of the state government to the Army and other security agencies.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chief of Defence Staff and other senior military and government officials were among the dignitaries present at the event.
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