By 
By Mansour Aliyu Hassan
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through its National Center for Artificial Intelligence Robotics and Robotics (NCAIR) is to collaborate with Nigerian security operatives in the manufacture of locally made military equipment to tackle insecurity.
The initiative targets manufacturing of digital ware able to provide first hand intelligence gathering to the nation’s security architecture in order to help end incessant security threats across the country.
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Director, NCAIR, Ya’u Garba Isa disclosed this when he received the Rector, Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology (NACEST) Markudi, Benue State, Brigadier General Yahaya Abdulhamid in Abuja.
Garba, while welcoming his guests said, NCAIR is among NITDA’s key drivers, established primarily to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of national interest.
“Collaboration with the military will open huge opportunity for the Center explore manufacturing of locally made military hardware that will be used in fighting criminal elements,” said Garba.
He added that the NCAIR as a digital innovation and research facility, is focused on artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and drones, Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging technologies that can be manufactured at a low cost and deployed to mission-critical areas.
According to him, the centre is also looking into the possibility of producing ‘Digital Grenade’ that can be use with ‘Wireless Censored Network’ which will be utilized in detecting some vital information in the field during operations.
“NCAIR focuses on creating a thriving ecosystem for innovation driven entrepreneurship IDE, job creation and national development”, he explained.
Garba assured NACEST of NITDA’s commitment to ensure the collaboration brings about a suitable environment for harnessing the abundant creative ideas of Nigeria’s teeming youth.
Earlier, the Rector of the College, Brigadier Abdulhamid, said the idea to partner with the NITDA was informed by the IT agency’s increasing impact in areas of emerging technologies.
He said the military authorities believe NITDA, as the nation’s apex IT regulatory body, is capable of enhancing the ability of the students of NACEST in areas of innovation, digital literacy and soft skills acquisition.
“These are the things that you must embrace in order to achieve national security and development, as it is not an adventurous thing, but rather a must”, the visiting army chief.
