Navy Chief Calls for Domestic Tech Boost to Safeguard Nation

The head of the naval forces, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has emphasized the critical importance of the armed forces adopting indigenous technology and creativity to enhance national safety.

Nigeria has historically relied on other nations for military equipment, replacement components, and specialized knowledge, frequently encountering setbacks and weaknesses during emergencies.

For many years, security professionals have cautioned that this reliance weakens preparedness and jeopardizes independence.

At the Nigerian Navy Seminar on Research and Development in Abuja on Thursday, Ogalla, represented by the Chief of Communication and Information Technology (Navy), Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, cautioned that the Navy should not stay as a passive user of foreign technology, but instead aim to become a co-developer and regional pioneer in naval innovation.

Ogalla stated, "Our long-term security requires solutions created by Nigerian thinkers, adapted to Nigerian conditions, and produced by Nigerian industries. This is not about pride; it is a question of strategic importance."

From Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics to Unmanned Surface and Underwater Vehicles, Cyber Warfare abilities, and Satellite Surveillance Systems, successful maritime security now requires the smooth combination of intelligent systems and up-to-the-minute data.

Thus, the NN should not stay a passive recipient of foreign technology. We need to establish ourselves as collaborators, pioneers, and eventually, leading figures in naval technological development within the region.

I would like to clearly say that our ability to operate effectively will rely more and more on how well we adopt, adjust to, and include new technologies in our strategies, systems, and organizational culture. It is in this setting that I highlight the pressing importance of being self-reliant in our research and development (R&D) system.

The head of the navy highlighted radars, navigation systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, secure communication devices, and monitoring systems as fields where domestic research and manufacturing need to be sped up.

He also advocated for enhanced structures in national ship construction, upgrading older vessels through local knowledge, and the creation of technology acceleration centers in collaboration with the private industry.

Praising the advancements achieved by the Naval Dockyard Limited and Naval Shipyard Limited, Ogalla emphasized that greater coordination and focused initiatives are required to attain self-sufficiency in defense technology.

He also cautioned that maritime security could only be achieved through advanced innovation and the implementation of technology, rather than sheer numerical power.

"The fight for control over maritime security will not be decided solely by having more ships. Instead, our achievement will rely on better innovation, intelligence, flexibility, and advanced technology," Ogalla stated.

Previously, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, the Chief Transformation (Navy), stated that the effect of technological progress on military activities has been thoroughly recorded and will continue to be relevant as long as conflicts exist within human society.

Unurhiere stated that technology has repeatedly influenced the results of conflicts in favor of those who successfully utilized it.

He stated that the seminar was highly suitable, occurring at a moment when the Nigerian Armed Forces were focused on eradicating various challenges to national security.

He stated that the two-day conference is a component of the Navy's continuous initiatives aimed at enhancing its research environment and speeding up the adoption of new technologies into its operational strategies.

In his speech, Professor AVM Osichinaka Ubadike, an expert in Aerospace Engineering, urged the Nigerian Navy to work together to boost its creativity in unmanned aerial vehicle technology to support naval activities.

Ubadike emphasized that the role of research, development, and innovation cannot be ignored in contemporary warfare.

He highlighted the importance of increased local efforts and creativity, while calling on the services to focus internally and promote the sharing of technology.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).