Senate President Akpabio highlights the role of technology at Chief of Defense Intelligence Annual Conference in Abuja.
Call for Technological Innovation in Security Operations
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to adopt innovative technologies to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Speaking at the 2024 Chief of Defense Intelligence Annual Conference in Abuja, Akpabio emphasized the critical role of technological advancements in strengthening national defense and countering complex threats.
Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Akpabio highlighted the conference’s theme, “Exploring the Role of Technology in Strengthening National and Regional Security,” as an important step towards understanding the benefits of technology in intelligence and security.
Conference Focuses on Modernizing Security Through Technology
The annual conference, attended by Defense Attachés and Advisors, aims to assess their contributions to regional peace and explore how technological innovations can reinforce national security.
Senate President Akpabio noted that as security landscapes become increasingly complex, leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will be critical for Nigeria’s defense capabilities.
“We now have access to vast volumes of data,” he said, “but we face the challenge of extracting meaningful insights. To address this, we must adopt new skills, tools, and methodologies.” Akpabio praised the DIA’s ongoing efforts to integrate technology into their operations, commending their commitment to using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to analyze large data sets and detect hidden patterns.
DIA’s Vision for Technology-Driven Intelligence
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, reaffirmed the DIA’s commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology for national security. Undiandeye explained that this year’s theme reflects the agency’s belief that technology is a transformative force within the intelligence community, capable of providing a strategic advantage. “Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things are revolutionizing intelligence,” he said, adding that these tools compel intelligence agencies worldwide to rethink security protocols.
Undiandeye acknowledged that the nature of threats facing Nigeria has grown in scale and intensity, exacerbated by adversaries operating with greater sophistication. “While the nature of threats remains consistent, their potency, prevalence, frequency, and intensity have significantly risen,” he observed.
He praised the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies for their resilience in the face of these threats, describing them as a steadfast “bastion of defense” for Nigeria.
Emerging Challenges and the Need for Continued Innovation
The DIA Chief also highlighted the multifaceted challenges Nigeria faces, including threats from the Sahel region and the destabilizing effects of climate change across West Africa. He underscored that while the agency has made strides in integrating technology, much work remains to stay ahead of both existing and emerging threats.
Undiandeye shared insights into the DIA’s recent initiatives, pilot projects, and partnerships aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s security. “If AI can analyze more data in a minute than a human could in a year,” he noted, “its value to military intelligence is immeasurable.” These projects, he stressed, aim to position Nigeria’s defense forces on par with global counterparts who have successfully leveraged technology to gain a strategic edge.
Strengthening National Security Through Technological Partnerships
As the conference concluded, defense leaders agreed on the need to cultivate partnerships with technology providers, researchers, and other stakeholders in the defense sector to keep Nigeria at the forefront of security innovation.
