Uba Sani warns against reliance on foreign defence technology

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has warned that Nigeria’s dependence on foreign technologies for defence and security could expose the country to vulnerabilities, urging greater investment in indigenous expertise to strengthen national security and technological self-reliance.

Sani gave the warning at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Skill Development Centre in Kaduna on Monday.

The governor, who presented a Certificate of Occupancy to the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, argued that technological self-reliance went beyond acquiring sophisticated equipment.

He stressed that Nigeria must develop the knowledge, skills and local capacity required to operate, maintain and adapt technologies to its specific needs.

According to him, dependence on external suppliers could leave the country vulnerable, particularly where foreign partners possessed the technical blueprints and operational knowledge of critical security platforms.

The governor noted that developing indigenous technical expertise would reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, minimise equipment maintenance delays and improve the effectiveness of security systems deployed to address the country’s security challenges.

He also stressed the need to strengthen intelligence-gathering capabilities through indigenous technology, noting that Nigeria must develop the capacity to address its security needs without excessive dependence on external systems.

While acknowledging the importance of international partnerships, the governor urged stakeholders involved in the project to prioritise practical training, knowledge transfer and high technical standards to enable Nigerians to operate and maintain advanced equipment independently.

He said technological investments could not achieve their objectives without adequately trained personnel, effective maintenance systems, sound operational procedures and responsible deployment.

Sani added that indigenous technologies could also support agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure development, citing the potential of precision agriculture to improve farm productivity and unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver medical supplies and services to hard-to-reach communities.

He further emphasised the importance of equipping young Nigerians, particularly women, with specialised skills in science, technology, engineering and related disciplines, urging that they be trained to become technology developers, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than mere consumers.

In his remarks, NASENI Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, highlighted the importance of the partnership with the Kaduna State Government in advancing skills development and strengthening Nigeria’s engineering and technological capabilities.

Halilu said the establishment of the centre would provide an opportunity to develop practical technical expertise in areas relevant to the country’s industrial and technological growth, with particular attention to the skills required to assemble, operate and maintain advanced equipment.

He said the facility would help build a skilled workforce capable of supporting indigenous technological development while creating opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire specialised knowledge that could improve their employment prospects.

The NASENI chief executive also underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and relevant stakeholders in developing local capacity, noting that sustainable technological advancement required institutions that could translate scientific knowledge and engineering innovations into practical solutions.

He said the partnership would contribute to building a stronger technical foundation for Nigeria by promoting skills acquisition, knowledge transfer and the development of local expertise needed to support critical sectors of the economy.

The centre is expected to contribute to skills development and technological capacity-building, while the Kaduna State Government’s provision of land for the project underscores its role in facilitating the initiative. Halilu was among the officials present at the groundbreaking ceremony.