By Elizabeth Tanko
Abuja, Nigeria — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has sought a strategic partnership with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on drone technology to strengthen the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.
General Shaibu made the call on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the PTDF headquarters in Abuja, where he stressed the urgent need to build local expertise in unmanned aerial systems.
Advancing indigenous capacity in unmanned aerial systems would enhance national security operations and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign military training and equipment; Gen Shaibu said in a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
The COAS praised the PTDF’s long-standing role in human capacity development and formally requested specialised training for Army personnel to build a strong pool of skilled professionals in drone technology.
“This will help us establish indigenous companies for the development of unmanned aerial systems and reduce reliance on foreign military training,” Shaibu said.
He also acknowledged the Fund’s continued support for Command Secondary Schools across the country.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Professor Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, commended the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
Professor Aliyu outlined ongoing collaborations under the PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and pledged to establish a modern ICT centre for digital skills training at the proposed Command Science Secondary School in Kaduna.
He called for the Army’s support in protecting PTDF’s strategic national assets and regional centres of excellence in Kaduna and Afam.
Aliyu also advocated for a formal security framework between both institutions to ensure rapid emergency response and safeguard staff, students and infrastructure.
