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Omoyele Sowore proposes scrapping Nigeria’s Defence Minister position in favour of drone-led security.
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Says unmanned aerial vehicles are cheaper, faster, and more effective than fighter jets.
- Argues modern warfare shows traditional air forces are becoming obsolete.
Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called for a radical transformation of Nigeria’s defence architecture, proposing the elimination of the Minister of Defence position and a heavy investment in drone technology to tackle insecurity.
Sowore made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he criticised Nigeria’s reliance on expensive fighter jets and bureaucratic military procurement systems, which he said have failed to address worsening security challenges.
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According to him, unmanned aerial vehicles offer a more efficient and cost-effective alternative for combating banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across the country.
He noted that drones require fewer personnel, can cover wide areas quickly, and provide real-time surveillance capabilities.
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The activist explained that with a small number of trained operators, multiple drones could be deployed simultaneously to track criminal movements in forests and remote areas, allowing security agencies to respond more effectively.
Sowore also highlighted the affordability of smaller drones, arguing that equipping each state with hundreds of such devices would significantly improve security outcomes at a fraction of the cost of maintaining fighter jets.
Drawing comparisons with global conflicts, he said recent wars have demonstrated that advanced drone technology is gradually rendering conventional air forces less relevant. He maintained that Nigeria’s continued investment in fighter jets and lengthy pilot training programmes amounts to a waste of resources.
“If I’m president of Nigeria, I won’t have a minister of defence. My minister of defence would be a drone,” Sowore said.
His comments come amid persistent security crises across Nigeria, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and widespread kidnappings nationwide.
