Abuja: Prof. Muhammed Ladan, an International Law Expert and the Coordinating Director of the AfCFTA Law and Policy Programme Division at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, has advocated for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s defence architecture to effectively address emerging threats in cyberspace and other domains. Ladan made this appeal during a policy briefing at the Saban Media Services 2026 Policy Dialogue in Abuja, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue, themed ‘Securing the Sovereign Frontier: Strategic Defence Architecture, Emerging Technologies and Democratic Integrity in Nigeria,’ highlighted the need for Nigeria’s concept of sovereignty to transcend beyond physical land and maritime territories, extending into cyberspace, critical infrastructure, and information ecosystems. Prof. Ladan emphasized that contemporary sovereignty is contested not only on traditional battlefields but also within digital ecosystems, telecommunications routing, cloud servers, and global information pipelines.
Prof. Ladan suggested that Nigeria’s security strategy should shift from isolated, single-service responses to a more integrated approach that combines military operations with intelligence-sharing, legal frameworks, and community-driven security mechanisms. He identified artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial surveillance, and secure communications as essential force multipliers for enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
Furthermore, Ladan called for increased investment in Nigeria’s domestic defence industry to lessen reliance on foreign supply chains. He highlighted the potential of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 to stimulate indigenous defence manufacturing through public-private partnerships. This framework could boost local production of unmanned aerial vehicles, biometric tracking systems, and encrypted tactical communications equipment.
Ladan also advocated for a unified cyber-defence framework to safeguard Nigeria’s critical national infrastructure and information ecosystem. He pointed out that the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 provide a statutory foundation for strengthening national cyber-defence. Establishing an integrated cyber-command could enhance proactive threat hunting and counter coordinated disinformation and state-sponsored cyber espionage.
The professor stressed the importance of stronger inter-agency data sharing among military, police, and intelligence agencies. He proposed the creation of a centralized, AI-driven Joint Threat Intelligence Fusion Centre to break down institutional silos and improve coordinated responses. Community-based early warning and response mechanisms, he suggested, should complement formal security structures, especially in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas.
Ladan highlighted the role of traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organizations, farmers, and local residents in providing valuable intelligence due to their knowledge of communities, terrain, and emerging tensions. However, he cautioned that community vigilante groups must not evolve into parallel security forces, advocating for proper screening, training, regulation, and integration into the broader security framework.
He also emphasized the economic implications of insecurity, noting that disrupted farming, education, and business activities weaken national resilience. Ladan underscored the need for appropriate legislation to govern emerging technologies, ensuring a balance between national security and democratic rights.
Ladan concluded by citing Nigeria’s constitutional obligation to protect its citizens, as outlined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. He advocated for national security and democratic integrity to be viewed as complementary objectives.
On his part, Amos Magaji, Member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, emphasized that national security should focus on protecting people and livelihoods. He called for community-based early warning and response mechanisms to complement formal security structures and for properly regulated and coordinated vigilante groups. Magaji urged a shift from a reactive security model to a preventive, resilience-based approach anchored on stronger intelligence, community surveillance, youth development, and economic opportunities.