Powering the Future: COAS Champions Indigenous Tech to Boost Military Might
Kano, Nigeria – June 18, 2025 – ONN
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has issued a bold call for the Nigerian Army to embrace indigenous technological innovation as a game-changer in enhancing operational efficiency and national defense capabilities.
Declaring open the Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) Week 2025 in Kano, Oluyede emphasized that local solutions hold the key to transforming the military’s effectiveness in today’s complex security landscape.
“The success of our combat operations relies heavily on the strength of our support arms, artillery, engineering, signals, and intelligence. To win future battles, we must build on homegrown capabilities,” he stated.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Ndalolo, Chief of Training (Army), Oluyede highlighted the Army’s strategic pivot in its Order of Battle, Training, and Doctrine, aligning it with emerging threats and the realities of asymmetric warfare.
This year’s COSAT Week, themed “Harnessing the Capacity of Combat Support Arms Through Indigenous Technology for Effective Operational Support within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” underscores a national push for military self-reliance and local innovation.
Oluyede warned against over-dependence on foreign equipment, citing high financial costs and the vulnerability it creates. He commended the Combat Support Arms, including the Corps of Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence, for their growing contributions in R&D, equipment acquisition, and training.
“This training week is more than a routine event, it is a platform for strategic reflection, innovation, and professional advancement. I urge participants to recommend practical, forward-looking strategies,” he said.
Throughout the week, participants will attend high-level lectures, strategy sessions, and view static displays of indigenous innovations, many developed internally by the Nigerian Army’s technical teams.
Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, Commander, Corps Signals, noted that the summit allows professionals across the support arms to brainstorm and evolve new approaches for bolstering frontline operations.
“The 2025 edition of COSAT Week is designed to push boundaries in professionalism and joint coordination. Indigenous technology is not just an option, it is the path to self-sufficiency,” Ugbo said.
He emphasized the need for synergy between the Army, academic institutions, and defense technology stakeholders to consolidate efforts and maximize impact.
“This aligns with the COAS Command Philosophy, to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-motivated, agile, and combat-ready force within a joint, multi-agency framework,” he added.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, represented by retired AVM Ibrahim Umar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening security partnerships and sustaining peace across the region.
“We are committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to support initiatives that drive innovation and national security,” the governor said.
The COSAT Week 2025 stands as a rallying point for the Nigerian Army’s renewed commitment to technical independence, combat readiness, and a future powered by local ingenuity and collaborative innovation.
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