Nigerian Army launches research competition and TETFund partnership to boost defence innovation

The Nigerian Army opened the 2026 edition of its 81 Division Annual Inter‑Command Secondary Schools Research Development and Innovation Competition at Command Day Secondary School in Ikeja. Acting Director of 81 Division Education Services Colonel OA Olubo said the event is meant to foster creativity, research and problem‑solving among command‑school students, stressing that "every great invention in human history started with a question and the courage to think differently."

In a separate briefing, Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu announced a deeper collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to expand indigenous defence production. The partnership will focus on armament technology, drone warfare, robotics and artificial intelligence, with TETFund supporting specialised training at the Nigerian Army University Biu and the College of Management Science. Shaibu said the initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports and build a self‑reliant defence industry.