… pushes data-driven transformation in Nigerian Army
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged the Nigerian Army to move beyond treating data management as a mere record-keeping exercise and instead leverage it as a strategic tool for intelligence gathering, operational planning and decision-making.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, gave the charge while delivering a keynote presentation titled, “From Data to Decision Advantage: Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Warfare,” at a Data Management and Record-Keeping Seminar organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary in Abuja.
Abdullahi said properly managed and analysed data could provide significant strategic value beyond administrative documentation, noting that the ability to transform data into actionable intelligence would increasingly determine military advantage in modern warfare.
He also urged the military to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic and tactical decision-making tool, saying AI-driven analysis could enhance the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of decisions at both battlefield and command levels.
“Globally, the defence industry is changing due to the disruptive power of technology. So, we need to look beyond just using data for record-keeping and start thinking of using data management for intelligence and strategic military operations. Today, we can use Artificial Intelligence to help us collate, analyse, verify and apply data in our military operations. We can integrate AI to help transform data into strategic and tactical information for decision-making. So, it is important to rethink the way we use technology to transform our institutions. To transform an organisation, you need to take cognisance of the people, the process and the proper technology to adopt,” he said.
The NITDA DG further called for the broader integration of emerging technologies into the Army’s security and defence operations, stressing that technology adoption should be regarded as central to national defence readiness rather than a peripheral upgrade.
He also emphasised the need for the Nigerian military to develop dedicated defence digital infrastructure and data centres, noting that the armed forces currently rely on partnerships with civilian entities in developing defence technologies.
On capacity building, Abdullahi advised the military to develop robust digital transformation capabilities and improve the digital competence of its personnel, describing this as essential to fully harnessing data and AI for tactical and operational purposes.
He announced that NITDA would provide training and capacity-building initiatives to equip military personnel with relevant digital skills for the emerging data- and AI-driven defence landscape, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s national security through technology.
