If I were president, my defence minister would be drone — Sowore

A former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has proposed a radical overhaul of Nigeria’s defence strategy, suggesting that if he were president, he would eliminate the position of Minister of Defence and prioritise drone technology to combat insecurity more effectively.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, Sowore criticised traditional military procurement processes and bureaucratic structures.

He argued that unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, offer a more effective and cost-efficient alternative to conventional military assets such as fighter jets.

“If I’m president of Nigeria, I’m not buying any jet anymore. I’m buying unmanned aerial vehicles. I want to invest in drones. They are pretty expensive, but they are more effective,” Sowore said.

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He illustrated the potential of drones in addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, including kidnappings and banditry.

“Because you can just have five persons operate ten drones. Even the drones that they buy for two thousand dollars, I have two of them, and they get seized all the time. They can cover a four-kilometre radius within twenty minutes.

“That is to say, if I have ten unmanned [drones] and I have operators, and I hear there is a kidnapper walking in the bush, I can use that drone to at least track them for a while, until the police can then conduct their cordon.

“It can go four kilometres, and there are not too many forests that are longer than, let’s say, ten kilometres in terms of thickness.”

Emphasising the cost-benefit and efficiency of drones, the activist further said, “And some of these small, inexpensive drones, I’m not saying that’s what you should use, cost you two thousand dollars.

“And if you buy a hundred of them for a state, you will be doing a marvellous job.”

Sowore’s comments come as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, including Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnappings across various regions.

While the government has increasingly incorporated aerial capabilities into its security operations, critics argue that bureaucratic delays and corruption continue to undermine effectiveness.

Drawing from global developments, Sowore cited the use of advanced aerial weapons in the conflict between Israel and Iran, which he said “has shown to you that the Air Force is on its way to retirement.”

“You can stay in your country, you can take over my airspace, and I don’t have to have a single jet. I can have your F-35, and if I have very capable drones, I’ll get to you.

“So if you’re still buying some fancy fighter jets that you have to train people for five years to use, you’re not likely to get replacement parts on time; you’re wasting your time.

“That’s why I said somewhere, if I’m president of Nigeria, I won’t have a minister of defence. My minister of defence would be a drone,” he added.