Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, has said Nigeria is intensifying efforts to modernise its military capabilities with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced anti-drone technology into the country’s defence architecture.

Musa spoke when he led a high-level delegation to Monaco to conclude discussions on the multi-domain Hybrid Intelligence Shield (HIS) project. The move is aimed at strengthening border security, protecting urban centres, and improving responses to emerging security threats across the country.

The project is expected to introduce AI-powered surveillance systems capable of rapidly identifying threats through smart algorithms, while also deploying anti-drone technology designed to intercept and neutralise unmanned aerial threats.

The government also plans to establish national and regional command-and-control centres to enable real-time coordination and response to security incidents.

The defence minister said the initiative would prioritise technology transfer and local capacity development through the establishment of a military “Centre of Excellence” in Nigeria.

Musa further pointed out that the government would leverage partnerships with international firms, including Marss UK Ltd, while focusing on building indigenous capabilities to tackle insurgency, illegal mining, piracy, and other security challenges.

Nigeria has faced persistent security threats in recent years, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry and mass kidnappings in the northwest, farmer-herder conflicts in the north-central region, oil theft in the Niger Delta, and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.