The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olanishakin, says the Nigerian military will no longer depend solely on foreign technology in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east and other security challenges confronting the nation.
Instead, he said the military would partner with research institutions in Nigeria to develop locally-made military equipment that would assist in tackling some of the challenges.
General Olanishakin stated this during a seminar on Research and Development and launching of a 15-year Strategic Plan by the Nigerian Air Force in Kaduna State.
The strategic plan will last between 2015 to 2030.
He identified lack of synergy among the stakeholders as largely responsible for the technological backwardness of Nigeria over the years.
The military boss hinted that the introduction of the Research and Development plan was in line with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the military to commence domestic production of weapons for use by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was of the view that developing local technologies would enable the nation acquire some degree of independence from external politics.
He also stressed that with an enabling environment and proper synergy between the military and civilian populace, home-based technological independence is achievable.
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Bala Bantex, highlighted that the Nigerian Air Force deserved better attention in the areas of manpower development and equipment.
He commended the efforts of the Air Force in curbing terrorism in the north-east and cattle rustling in some parts of the northern region.
The seminar affords the military the opportunity to interact with distinguished scholars towards accomplishing technological milestones and legacies that would be beneficial to the Nigerian Air Force and the nation at large.
It is expected that at end of the event, participants would come up with critical ideas towards forging a better relationship in the areas of research and innovation.
