RETHINKING NIGERIA’s SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

Modern conflicts are rarely won by numerical strength but by technological superiority, argues ABIODUN OLUWADARE

For nearly two decades, Nigeria has grappled with the persistent threat of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent insecurity that have tested the resilience of our security institutions and the patience of the citizenry. The sacrifices of our soldiers, police officers, and community defence volunteers are undeniable, yet the outcomes have often fallen short of expectations. Despite periodic successes, the threats continue to evolve, shift locations, and adopt new tactics. This prolonged struggle has raised a fundamental question: Are we fighting 21st-century security threats with 20th-century tools?

Recent developments in the South-East suggest that the answer may soon change. The decision by the Enugu State government to acquire surveillance drones marks an important turning point in Nigeria’s approach to internal security. This initiative is more than a symbolic gesture; it reflects a deeper understanding that modern security challenges demand modern solutions. In a country where insecurity can escalate within minutes, and criminals can vanish into forests, hills, and border regions, real-time surveillance has become indispensable.

A Nation Fighting Blind in an Age of Precision.

Nigeria’s geographical realities pose a significant challenge to traditional security approaches. With thousands of kilometres of land borders, vast stretches of ungoverned spaces, dense forests, mountainous regions, and rapidly growing urban centres, our security forces often confront threats without adequate intelligence. Patrols are stretched thin, response times are delayed, and operations sometimes rely on outdated information. This mismatch between terrain and tactics has cost Nigeria dearly in lives, equipment, and public confidence.

Yet globally, warfare has been transformed by technology. Countries that face internal threats similar to Nigeria, such as Colombia, India, and even smaller nations like Rwanda, have integrated drones, night-vision imaging, thermal scanners, AI-assisted surveillance, and automated communication systems into their security operations. These technologies provide the eyes, ears, and speed that human personnel alone cannot guarantee.

In this context, Enugu’s drone initiative is not only timely but visionary. It demonstrates that state governments need not wait for federal intervention before embracing innovation. It also underscores a fundamental truth: a nation cannot secure what it cannot see.

Security experts agree that modern conflicts are rarely won by numerical strength but by technological superiority. Drones can cover areas that would take soldiers hours or days to patrol. Thermal imaging can detect movements hidden in thick vegetation. Aerial surveillance can monitor border crossings, track kidnappers on the move, and provide immediate intelligence during a crisis.

Moreover, technology drastically reduces risk. Instead of sending troops into unfamiliar or dangerous terrain without prior knowledge of what lies ahead, drones can map out the environment, detect hostile positions, and guide safe routes. This not only protects personnel but also improves mission success rates.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has been slow to adopt such tools on the scale required. While there have been isolated attempts to modernise the military, these efforts have often lacked continuity, coordination, or integration into a broader national security framework. The result is a chronic gap between capability and threat level.

Behind every security failure lies a human story: families displaced, businesses destroyed, communities living in fear, and security personnel facing preventable dangers. The country’s economy also suffers significantly. Agriculture declines in affected regions; foreign investment hesitates; tourism weakens; and national stability becomes fragile.

The operational strain on the military is equally severe. Troops are deployed repeatedly without adequate rest, equipment, or intelligence. Morale suffers. Lives are lost. And the public grows increasingly frustrated.

Continuing along this trajectory is unsustainable. Nigeria must embrace a paradigm shift where technology becomes central, not supplementary, to national security.

The Enugu experience should catalyse a wider national conversation. If one state can integrate surveillance technology into security management, others can follow suit, and the federal government can coordinate a unified, national strategy that connects these technologies into a seamless network.

A nationwide technological security overhaul could include: Long-range surveillance drones for border monitoring; short-range drones for urban policing and forest operations;

automated early-warning systems;

AI analysis of movement patterns to predict attacks; Integrated command-and-control centres linking military, police, and intelligence agencies; training programs for security personnel on advanced technology; and partnerships with tech firms and research institutions.

Such a system would allow Nigeria to detect threats early, respond faster, and reduce casualties dramatically.

It is encouraging, however, that the President and Commander-in-Chief, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), has recently approved the transformation of the nation’s forest guards into an armed and organised surveillance force. This initiative is a commendable step and reflects a growing recognition of the need to secure our forests, rural communities, and border zones more strategically. The President’s efforts deserve appreciation, particularly at a time when Nigerians are yearning for a more proactive and visible approach to national security.

Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that while the deployment of forest guards is a welcome improvement, their contribution cannot match the efficiency of modern surveillance equipment. What 10,000 guards can cover in 100 days, a powerful drone can scan within hours, with greater accuracy and precision, zero human risk, and constant availability. In other words, technology multiplies the value of human effort. It saves lives, saves time, and delivers up-to-date, actionable intelligence in a way that manual patrols simply cannot.

This is why Nigeria must urgently incorporate technology as the backbone of its security strategy. Integrating drone surveillance, satellite imaging, sensor-equipped border systems, and unified communication networks will shift our national posture from reactive to preventive. If a single state like Enugu can pioneer such innovation at the sub-national level, then implementing similar measures nationwide is both possible and necessary.

Nigeria’s security agencies need tools that match the sophistication of the threats they face. By pairing the President’s recent initiatives with aggressive investment in modern surveillance systems, the country can finally change the trajectory of its fight against insurgency. More importantly, this shift will protect the lives of the men and women who stand daily on the frontlines.

The “giant of Africa” must not confront 21st-century challenges with 20th-century methods. The moment to modernise is now. A technologically enabled Nigeria is not only achievable, but it is the only sustainable path to lasting peace and security.

 .Oluwadare is a Professor of Political Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna