The leadership of the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, hosted its Officers’ Training Day with a focus on the theme: “Leveraging Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Information Systems as a Tool for Fighting Future Warfare.”

The event brought together senior military officers, security chiefs, and experts who examined the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, and electronic warfare in modern military operations.

In his opening remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Commodore B U Quadri of the Nigerian Navy, commended the Commander, 14 Brigade, Brig. Gen. A. M. Dikko, and the brigade’s personnel for organizing what he described as a timely and intellectually stimulating training.

He said, “This Training Day is a clear demonstration of your commitment to professional development and operational readiness.”

He noted that the theme, “Leveraging Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Information Systems as a Tool for Fighting Future Warfare,” is both strategic and forward-looking.

According to Commodore Quadri, the character of warfare has changed significantly, stressing that future battlefields will no longer be defined solely by firepower and maneuver but by who controls information, dominates the electromagnetic spectrum, and protects their networks while disrupting those of adversaries.

He cited recent global conflicts where drones have been jammed through electronic warfare, logistics disrupted by cyberattacks, and morale weakened through information warfare and fake news.

The naval officer further observed that terrorist organizations around the world have become increasingly sophisticated in their use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), social media, and electronic devices to coordinate operations, radicalize recruits, and launch attacks.

According to him, “Technology alone will not win wars, but trained, innovative, and adaptive officers who can leverage cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, and information systems to achieve decisive results.”

He emphasized that every participant must understand the fundamentals of cyber threats, electronic warfare capabilities, and the weaponization of information.

In his welcome address, the Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. A. M. Dikko, stated that the modern battlefield has expanded into the cyber domain and electromagnetic spectrum.

According to him, electronic warfare is now used to jam communications and degrade military sensors, making it imperative for the Armed Forces to acquire more knowledge in cyber warfare and Artificial Intelligence.

“We must understand that to win future wars, we must first win the information war and dominate the cyber and electronic spaces,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Dikko further disclosed that the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of Lt. Gen. W. Shuaibu, is investing heavily in digitization, cyber defense, and electronic warfare capabilities to strengthen the military’s capacity, particularly in combating terrorism and insurgency.

He added that the lecture was designed to increase awareness of threats in the cyber and electronic domains and provide participants with strategies to counter them.

“Let us learn, unlearn, and relearn so that 14 Brigade will remain agile, operationally ready, and prepared for any task,” he said.

He urged participants to pay close attention to the lectures and ensure that the knowledge gained is transmitted to troops under their command.

“Leadership in future warfare belongs to commanders who can think digitally, act decisively within the information space, and protect their formations from cyberattacks,” he added.

The Guest Speaker, Brig. Gen. S. Julius, Commander of 54 Signal Brigade, Enugu, delivered a lecture titled “Artificial Intelligence and the State of Warfare.”

He stated that Artificial Intelligence will play a prominent role in how wars are planned and fought, stressing that its application must be properly regulated to prevent humanity from surrendering critical decisions to machines.

He described AI as a transformative force reshaping modern warfare through enhanced intelligence, surveillance, logistics, cyber operations, and command systems.

According to him, AI acts as a force multiplier by enabling faster decision-making, predicting potential attacks, improving military equipment maintenance, reducing risks to personnel, and increasing the speed and precision of military operations but however warned that

“Delegating life-and-death decisions to machines like AI can be catastrophic because AI lacks human emotion and judgment

He further cautioned that AI lacks moral reasoning, human emotion, and ethical judgment, making it unsuitable for making life-and-death decisions without human oversight. He warned that false AI-generated alerts could trigger unnecessary military actions and result in the loss of innocent lives.

Brig. Gen. Julius also referenced concerns raised by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres over autonomous weapons, stressing that AI must operate within legal and ethical frameworks.

He concluded that while AI should enhance military effectiveness and national security, it must never replace human judgment in critical military operations involving the use of force.

The discussant, Dr. Uche Kalu Idika, a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Abia State University, Uturu, reviewed the lecture and made several observations and recommendations on the role of Artificial Intelligence in modern warfare.

Dr. Idika noted that AI has the potential to both reduce and escalate conflicts, depending on how it is deployed, stressing that ethical considerations must remain central to its application in military operations

.

According to him, international humanitarian law has not been adequately integrated into AI systems. Unlike human soldiers, who exercise judgment, compassion, and accountability during combat, AI lacks emotions and cannot make moral decisions in complex situations.

He explained that if an AI-powered weapon were instructed to strike a terrorist hideout where children were also present, it might execute the command without considering the presence of innocent civilians. A human commander, however, would be more likely to reassess the operation to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties.

Dr. Idika also observed that AI does not take cultural and social realities into account, making it unsuitable to replace human judgment entirely in warfare. He remarked that “once intelligence becomes artificial, it is no longer original,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining human oversight in military decision-making.

He further noted that while many nations advocate integrating AI into military operations, they often lack the necessary skills, infrastructure, and resources for effective implementation. He added that Nigerian military personnel require more training and capacity building to effectively integrate AI into modern warfare.

Drawing attention to the fight against terrorism, Dr. Idika stated that many terrorist groups, despite being largely uneducated, now leverage AI tools such as ChatGPT and cloud-based technologies to acquire knowledge, assemble weapons, and plan attacks against the Nigerian military. He urged the Armed Forces to strengthen their technological capabilities to stay ahead of non-state actors such as Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations.

He also called for comprehensive legislation and international policies to regulate the use of AI in warfare, warning that without proper legal and ethical frameworks, the technology could be be misused and further escalate armed conflicts.

Dr. Idika concluded by advocating the gradual integration of AI into the Nigerian military while ensuring that human judgment, ethics, and accountability remain at the center of military operations.

In his contribution, Brig. Gen. A. M. Dikko emphasized that Nigeria does not pursue an expansionist agenda but remains committed to peaceful coexistence with other nations. He noted that the country only resorts to military action when its peace, sovereignty, or territorial integrity is threatened.

He further advised the participants, especially military personnel present, to continually update their knowledge of AI in order not to be left behind in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.

In his closing remarks, Commodore P. U. Quadri stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces have remained proactive in adapting to emerging security challenges.

He emphasized the need to build a combat-ready, technology-driven force with greater emphasis on electronic warfare, Artificial Intelligence, and intelligence gathering.

He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve operational efficiency, strengthen national security, and enhance the Armed Forces’ capacity to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards and ce

rtificates to the heads of various security agencies who graced the occasion.

The Chairman of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), Dr. Chris Akomas, says the forum’s fifth national conference will focus on rebuilding trust between leaders and citizens as part of efforts to promote national unity, good governance and sustainable development.

Akomas stated this when members of the forum paid a courtesy visit to the forum’s National Patron and former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ahead of the conference scheduled for October 20 and 21.in Abuja.

He said the conference, with the theme, “Rethinking Nation Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect,” would provide practical recommendations for addressing governance challenges and strengthening democratic institutions.

According to him, the Board of Trustees resolved to visit the forum’s patrons to appreciate their consistent support, formally notify them of the conference and seek their participation.

Dr. Akomas said the delegation also presented Ganduje with the proceedings of the forum’s fourth national conference and its 2026/2027 desk calendar.

He described Ganduje as a committed supporter of the forum, noting that he had consistently attended its annual conferences or delegated representatives whenever official engagements prevented his attendance.

The forum chairman disclosed that members had earlier visited the forum’s Grand Patron, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who commended the steady growth of the organisation and expressed willingness to attend this year’s conference.

He reiterated that the forum remained a non-partisan body committed to promoting national unity, democratic governance and sound public policy by leveraging the wealth of experience of former deputy governors.

Akomas also invited Ganduje to visit the forum’s national secretariat in recognition of his continued support for the organisation.

Responding, the Former Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje urged the forum to play a more active role in reconciling serving governors and their deputies whenever disagreements arise, saying such interventions would strengthen democratic governance and political stability.

He said former deputy governors possess the experience and credibility to mediate in political disputes and offer objective advice to serving public office holders.

The former Kano State governor also called on the forum to examine the recurring conflicts between outgoing governors and their successors, describing the trend as a growing challenge to Nigeria’s democracy.

Ganduje accepted the invitation to attend the forum’s fifth national conference and commended the organisation for sustaining its advocacy on good governance, noting that the impact of its programmes reflected its seriousness and relevance to national development.

The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria is a non-partisan body comprising former deputy governors from the country’s 36 states and it provides a platform for members to share governance experiences and make policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic and socio-economic development.

Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha continues to demonstrate that purposeful representation is best measured by enduring institutions that transform lives and drive economic development.

Following the successful National Assembly passage and approval of [HB-1605] for the establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Ikwuano, Abia State, which is currently awaiting the Presidential assent. Another major bill sponsored by the Honourable Obi Aguocha has today, Wednesday 22 July 2026, passed the third reading in the House of Representatives. The House Bill -1659 will now be transmitted to the Senate for their concurrence.

The Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, when approved by the Senate and subsequently signed into law, is designed to become a national centre of excellence for:

Mining and Geosciences education.

Diploma and Degree level programs.

Technical and vocational training.

Research and innovation in mineral exploration and exploitation.

Laboratory and mineral analysis services.

Development of skilled manpower for Nigeria’s mining and solid minerals sector.

Beyond its educational mandate, the Institute is expected to unlock enormous opportunities for Ikwuano-Umuahia, for Abia State and the South-East through jobs creation, research partnerships, industrial development and investment in the solid minerals value chain.

Its establishment has the potential to create massive employment opportunities for lecturers, researchers, engineers, geologists, laboratory scientists, administrative personnel, ICT professionals, technical staff, artisans, and numerous support services. It is also expected to stimulate local businesses, improve infrastructure, and attract public and private sector investment into the region.

These achievements underscore Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha’s commitment to attracting transformative federal institutions capable of delivering lasting socioeconomic benefits to the people of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

With the Federal Medical Centre, Ikwuano Bill [HB-1605], now awaiting Presidential assent and the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences [HB-1659] being transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, the constituency continues to witness a deliberate plan and focus by the Honourable Member on institutional building as a pathway to sustainable development for his constituents.

Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha remains steadfast in his commitment to sponsoring impactful legislation that creates opportunities, strengthens public institutions, expands access to essential services, and lays the foundation for long-term prosperity for our people.

The Honourable Member remains grateful to His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR, and to his constituents for their continued support and the privilege of serving them. He assures that it will surely end in praise.

Signed:

Media Office:-

Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha.

Member Representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State.