The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin has alerted of the emergence of ‘cyberspace technology’ as an ‘instrument of power’ in societies noting that it is also becoming more available to nation’s adversaries who may use it to attack, degrade and disrupt communications and flow of information.
Furthermore, the CDS disclosed that the global range of cyberspace and its disregard for national borders will challenge legal systems and complicate a nation’s ability to deter threats and respond to contingencies.
Against this backdrop General Olonisakin noted that the establishment of the Defence Space Administration by the federal government is not out of place but in line with modern global best practices to be able to function effectively in a multi-dimensional battlefield.
Speaking while commissioning the Defence Space Administration Office Complex in Abuja on Friday, the CDS said, “The case for a defence space establishment is not just that of adding theater capability via space assets to the armed forces, it is also about developing a multi-dimensional approach to using outer space for strategic purposes.
“The integration of space capabilities into the various military functions will give the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, an array of technological capabilities with multitude of effects on speed, accuracy, precision of information collection, strategic planning, decision making and the integration of technology to gain battleground superiority across the different forces and platforms.
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“Other identified benefits are in the areas of signal intelligence, navigational capabilities battlefield situational awareness, surveillance and communications capabilities” he said.
Continuing the CDS said, “Given the changes in the international and regional security and geo-politics of outer space over the past two decades, there is no disputing the need for Nigeria to utilize space capacities for securing her territorial interests, the security of her people and by extension her national interests.
While noting that the National Space Policy and Programmes emphasizes 3 space activities sector namely civil, commercial as well as defence and security, the CDS said “Increasing utilization of a dedicated defence space establishment in Nigeria would assist in realizing the defence aspect of the national space policy objectives.
Expressing the appreciation of the armed forces of Nigeria to President Muhammadu Buhari for his support which has resulted in the progress so far made in the Defence Space Administration, Olonisakin said completion of the project is another testimony of Buhari’s commitment to enhancing the military’s capabilities in the performance of its constitutional roles.
Present at the ceremony were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Usman and Principal Staff officers from Defence and Services headquarters while DIG Foluso Adenanjo represented the Inspector Genera of Police.
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