Defence Minister Urges DIA to Fast-Track Tech Upgrades Amid Rising Security Threats
Chukwu Obinna 
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to accelerate technological modernisation and deepen collaboration across security institutions as the country confronts increasingly complex threats.
Speaking at the closing session of the 2025 Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference in Abuja on Friday, Matawalle said the conference theme — centred on multi-source intelligence and innovation — reflects the evolving, cross-border nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.
He stressed that the nation’s intelligence architecture must rapidly integrate artificial intelligence tools, advanced data analytics, satellite imagery systems and enhanced digital security capabilities to enable early threat detection and more efficient response mechanisms.
However, he cautioned against viewing technology as a stand-alone solution.
“The strength of our system lies in the fusion of both, where technology amplifies human capacity and human insight guides technological application,” he told participants.
The minister pledged that recommendations from the week-long dialogue would be prioritised, adding that Nigeria’s security future relies on coordinated, not isolated, intelligence operations.
Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, said the conference provided a platform for defence leaders, advisers and military attachés to review emerging intelligence concepts and reinforce professional ties.
Defence Minister Urges DIA to Fast-Track Tech Upgrades Amid Rising Security Threats
He emphasised the importance of integrating human intelligence, signals intelligence, geospatial tools and open-source information to confront advanced threats. He also commended President Bola Tinubu and the military leadership for their strategic support to the agency.
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Hussaini Ibrahim