The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has advocated the sustenance of the utilization of emerging technologies for operational efficiency in the Nigerian Army (NA).
The COAS said this on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Army Headquarters during a paper presentation titled: “Emerging Technologies and Operational Efficiency: Implications for the Nigerian Army by 2035”, presented by participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 31.
Commending the participants for a well-researched paper, Lt Gen Lagbaja pointed out that the paper presentation would revitalize the consciousness of emerging technologies and their implications for operational efficiency.
The COAS disclosed, that the Nigerian Army as a sub-system of the larger society is already keying into emerging technologies in its institutions and establishments, adding that the NA will sustain the development, as it cannot divorce itself completely from the dynamics of both its internal and external environments.
The COAS averred that employing emerging technologies has provided the Nigerian Army with improved surveillance capability, enhanced communication, efficient data management, situational awareness, and strategic decision-making.
Earlier, the Commandant of National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, stated that the presentation unveils the potential of emerging technologies to significantly impact on present and future operational engagements of the NA.
He noted that as technologies continue to advance, the NA must continue to adopt and integrate evolving innovations, in other to maintain a competitive edge in the theatres of operations.
Admiral Olotu asserted that the NA must continue to aspire to be a driver of technological changes, while constantly providing emerging technologies to enhance decision-making for operational efficiency.
The event climaxed with the presentation of a hard copy of the research paper to the COAS.