By Amos Anetekhai The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Army have expressed commitment towards strengthening their partnership in education, advanced research, military intelligence, and emerging technologies to enhance Nigeria’s local defence capacity. This was revealed when the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu at the Army Headquarters in Abuja recently. Speaking during the visit, Arc. Echono underlined the significance of further strengthening the relationship between the Fund and the military, noting that this was necessary for creating a secure atmosphere for educational institutions across the country. He commended officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts and sacrifice in protecting the territorial integrity of the country over the years, as well as the military’s contributions to the development of the education sector. While noting that the Nigerian Armed Forces have transformed to become major stakeholders in educational development and technological advancement in the country, the TETFund boss expressed the Fund’s commitment towards collaborating with the military in exploring innovations in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, among others, to boost national security. In his response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu expressed appreciation to the Executive Secretary and members of his management for the visit, even as he commended the Fund for sustained interventions in some Nigerian Army institutions such as the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State and Nigerian Army College of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Makurdi Benue State. He stated that both institutions are producing the skilled manpower required to meet the Nigerian Army’s evolving operational and administrative demands. The Army Chief disclosed plans for further collaboration with TETFund to sponsor specialised training for officers in armament technology, drone warfare, robotics, artificial intelligence and other emerging defence technologies, with the aim of positioning the Army to operate at the highest professional standards. “We are intensifying efforts in drone warfare and armament development and also sponsoring young people to become pioneers in these fields, but we still face shortages in the required manpower. That is why we are seeking TETFund’s support,” he said.