Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore has proposed a revolutionary overhaul of Nigeria's national security architecture, centring on drone technology and unmanned systems over conventional military hardware.
A Radical Shift in Defence Thinking
During an appearance on Channels Television on Monday, January 5, 2026, Sowore argued that Nigeria's current military strategy is obsolete. He stressed that modern conflicts are won through technology, intelligence, and precision rather than sheer manpower or heavy bureaucracy.
"If I were the President of Nigeria, I wouldn't have a Minister of Defence. My Minister of Defence will be a drone," Sowore declared emphatically. He extended this logic to missile defence, stating, "If I'm president, I won't have a missile defence. My missile defence will be a drone."
Drones Over Fighter Jets: A Cost-Effective Vision
Sowore was highly critical of Nigeria's continued investment in manned fighter jets, describing them as expensive, slow to deploy, and difficult to maintain. He pointed to the global evolution of warfare, citing tensions between Israel and Iran as evidence that traditional air forces are becoming less relevant.
"The Air Force is on its way to retirement. You can stay in your country, protect your airspace and still strike effectively with drones," he said.
In contrast, he championed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as the future. He revealed that surveillance drones costing as little as $2,000 could be highly effective. According to his plan, states could purchase hundreds of such devices for a fraction of the cost of a single jet, dramatically improving surveillance capabilities.
"If you buy 100 drones for a state, you will do a marvellous job," Sowore asserted, explaining that a few trained operators could control multiple drones simultaneously.
Tackling Kidnapping and Banditry with Technology
Sowore explained how his drone-centric strategy would directly address Nigeria's pervasive security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, and insurgency. He envisioned a system where drones could be deployed immediately to track criminals operating in forests.
"If I hear that kidnappers are operating in the bush, I can deploy drones immediately to track them until the police conduct their operation," he said. He noted that many forests used as hideouts are not extensive and could be effectively monitored by a small team operating a fleet of affordable drones.
The activist concluded that this technological pivot would not only save Nigeria billions of naira but would also modernise the country's defence system to meet current and future threats with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
