The state’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Ahmed Usman, made the call while representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026 in Lagos.
Usman said the growing threats of terrorism, banditry and transnational organised crime required closer collaboration among governments, security agencies, defence manufacturers and technology providers.
He stressed the need for African countries to invest in intelligence gathering, surveillance, modern communication systems and local defence production to strengthen their capacity to respond to security threats.
“Africa must increasingly leverage indigenous research, local manufacturing capabilities and technological advancement to develop sustainable solutions to its security challenges rather than depend entirely on external sources for critical defence equipment and technologies,” he said.
The security adviser also identified intelligence sharing, capacity building and inter-agency cooperation as essential components of effective security operations, beyond the deployment of personnel and military equipment.