Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for a sweeping rethink of Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that modern warfare demands technology-driven solutions rather than traditional military structures.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Sowore said that if he were president, he would abolish the position of Minister of Defence and redirect resources toward drone technology as a more effective way to tackle insecurity.
He criticised what he described as outdated military procurement systems and excessive bureaucracy, insisting that unmanned aerial vehicles offer greater efficiency than conventional fighter jets.
“If I’m president of Nigeria, I’m not buying any jet anymore. I’m buying unmanned aerial vehicles. I want to invest in drones. They are pretty expensive, but they are more effective,” Sowore said.
Using Nigeria’s persistent security problems as an example, Sowore explained how drones could help curb kidnappings and banditry through real-time surveillance and tracking.
“Because you can just have five persons operate ten drones. Even the drones that they buy for two thousand dollars, I have two of them, and they get seized all the time. They can cover a four-kilometre radius within twenty minutes,” he said.
“That is to say, if I have ten unmanned [drones] and I have operators, and I hear there is a kidnapper walking in the bush, I can use that drone to at least track them for a while, until the police can then conduct their cordon,” he added.
Sowore noted that Nigeria’s terrain makes drone surveillance particularly practical, arguing that forests are often not extensive enough to evade sustained aerial monitoring.
“It can go four kilometres, and there are not too many forests that are longer than, let’s say, ten kilometres in terms of thickness,” he said.
Highlighting affordability and scalability, the activist said even relatively cheap drones could make a major difference if deployed strategically.
“And some of these small, inexpensive drones, I’m not saying that’s what you should use, cost you two thousand dollars.
“And if you buy a hundred of them for a state, you will be doing a marvellous job,” he said.
Sowore’s comments come as Nigeria continues to battle multiple security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and widespread kidnappings across the country.
While authorities have increasingly relied on aerial assets, critics maintain that inefficiency, corruption and slow decision-making continue to weaken results.
Referencing global conflicts, Sowore pointed to recent developments involving Israel and Iran, arguing that modern warfare is rapidly moving beyond traditional air forces.
“[It] has shown to you that the Air Force is on its way to retirement,” he said.
“You can stay in your country, you can take over my airspace, and I don’t have to have a single jet. I can have your F-35, and if I have very capable drones, I’ll get to you.”
He concluded by reiterating his unconventional proposal for Nigeria’s defence leadership.
“So if you’re still buying some fancy fighter jets that you have to train people for five years to use, you’re not likely to get replacement parts on time; you’re wasting your time.
“That’s why I said somewhere, if I’m president of Nigeria, I won’t have a minister of defence. My minister of defence would be a drone,” he said.
