By Oyigu Elijah.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran appears to be driven by a complex web of diplomatic and ideological factors, and it also reveals a deeper undercurrent such as the pursuit of technological supremacy.
While we do not, and must never, condone violence or the tragic loss of human life under any circumstance, it is impossible to ignore that within the barrage of missiles lies a powerful message: a demonstration of advanced technological capabilities that extend far beyond the borders of both nations.
This is not, as some may think, a purely religious war. It is not a conflict that Nigeria or indeed any neutral state, should be drawn into by taking sides. What we are witnessing is a struggle for dominance in defense and surveillance technology. It is a show of strength between two nations that have invested heavily in their capacity to detect, deter, and defend against threats, sometimes at great distances.
For us in Nigeria, the lesson is not in the politics but in the preparedness. We must begin to ask ourselves critical questions: When will we rise to the point where our own defense systems can stand as a bulwark against external threats? How do we build the kind of technological infrastructure that provides safety, confidence, and strategic advantage in an increasingly volatile world?
What’s striking is that these attacks are not happening in the physical backyards of either country. They are being launched and intercepted from afar, using highly sophisticated systems. That should give us pause. It’s a wake-up call for nations like ours to evaluate our current capabilities and reconsider our priorities.
Are we truly investing in the right areas? Are we ready to move beyond the endless politicking around technology and security, and instead, begin to invest passionately and strategically in innovation? Nigeria already has a space agency, NASRDA, as well as other institutions focused on defense and science. These establishments should no longer exist just in name; they need active, purposeful funding and support.
Modern warfare has evolved into a celestial affair. Satellites, drone surveillance, space-based monitoring, and missile defense systems are no longer science fiction but they are the tools of today’s battles. Our Air Force and defense infrastructure must begin to train, equip, and evolve within this reality. We must prepare now, not react later.
African leaders, too, must begin to see beyond the short-term relief of foreign aid. We must look inward and ask ourselves how we can secure our space, our air, and our people. Imagine for a moment if Israel did not have the Iron Dome. The devastation from the recent missile attacks would have been unimaginable. That kind of scenario should not be dismissed as a foreign concern, it should serve as a blueprint for what we must aspire to build
Even as we look to the skies, we must not forget the threats that persist here at home. The enemies hiding in our forests, the terror groups operating within our borders, they remain an urgent priority. We must strengthen our intelligence, security, and local defense mechanisms to protect the lives of our citizens.
To make meaningful progress, Nigeria must treat space science and defense technology as core pillars of national development. Institutions like the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the Defense Space Administration (DSA), and other relevant establishments must be repositioned not just as symbolic entities, but as strategic agencies with clear mandates, adequate funding, and measurable deliverables. Their work should not remain on the fringes of national planning but be brought to the forefront as a national security and development priority.
Moreover, we must encourage synergy among these institutions. The Defense Space Administration, NASRDA, and the Nigerian Air Force should not operate in silos. Rather, they should develop a unified framework for space-based surveillance, national defense strategy, satellite technology, and aerospace research. A collaborative national research and development team, made up of experts drawn from these institutions, can drive innovation, eliminate duplication of efforts, and ensure our limited resources are used with maximum strategic impact.
Nigeria’s security challenges are no longer conventional, and our solutions must reflect that shift. From satellite imaging to early warning systems, drone surveillance to airspace defense, these institutions hold the keys to a safer and more prepared Nigeria. But to achieve this, we need not only funding, but vision, political will backed by policy, infrastructure backed by investment, and science backed by national urgency. Our survival, in today’s world, depends on our ability to evolve.
Nigeria and Africa at large must begin to think ahead. Not out of fear, but out of duty. Not out of imitation, but out of vision.
It is time to invest in a future where we are not just protected but prepared.
I am Oyigu Elijah and I look forward to the time when our national budget for Science and Technology will be good enough to meet our technology needs.
