The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has urged the federal government to harness the power of technology to strengthen its security framework and build a safer, more resilient Nigeria.
Bradley Markwald, the embassy’s senior regional security officer, said this at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of ASIS International, Chapter 273, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr Markwald noted that with Nigeria’s vast population, rich resources, and extensive geographic expanse, safeguarding national security presents complex challenges and unique opportunities.
“By incorporating satellite-based imagery from platforms like the NigeriaSat-X and the European Space Agency’s Copernicus programme, we can monitor vast swathes of land, borders, and critical infrastructure in real-time.
“Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, equipped with thermal imaging and Al-powered tracking software, can be deployed for surveillance in remote areas, providing intelligence on movements and activities of potential security threats.
“The integration of sensor networks along Nigeria’s borders, highways, and ports could offer a proactive approach to security by detecting unusual activity such as unauthorised vehicle movements or crossing of borders in real-time,” Mr Markwald said.
He added that technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) sensors could alert authorities to possible incursions or natural disasters that may threaten national security.
According to him, these tools would not only enhance defensive posture but also help keep Nigerian citizens and businesses safer by enabling timely interventions.
The security expert also called for modernising border control, adding that effective border control was essential to Nigeria’s national security strategy and that technology could significantly improve this area.
Mr Markwald said that the United Arab Emirates had implemented an eGate system that employs facial and fingerprint recognition to streamline immigration while enhancing security.
He added that for Nigeria, adopting cost-effective solutions like Suprema ID’s BioMini Slim 3 fingerprint scanners could make a significant difference.
