Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), said he would appoint a drone as his Minister of Defence [1].
The proposal suggests a fundamental shift in how Nigeria manages its national security, moving away from traditional human leadership toward an automated, technology-driven approach.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV in 2024, Sowore said, "If I become President tomorrow, my defence minister will be a drone" [1]. He said that the current state of insecurity in Nigeria is deeply linked to poverty [3].
Sowore said that the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technology is necessary to modernize the country's defense capabilities. According to the candidate, these tools should play a central role in the national security strategy to provide a more effective response to threats [2].
Beyond the use of drones, Sowore linked the solution for insecurity to broader social reforms. He said that the country needs a combination of drones, education, and job creation to solve the underlying issues causing instability [3].
This approach reflects a desire to replace human discretion in defense procurement and strategy with data-driven systems. Sowore said, "Advanced technology and artificial intelligence should play a central role in our national defence" [2].
“"If I become President tomorrow, my defence minister will be a drone."”
This proposal highlights a growing global debate over the role of autonomous systems in governance and warfare. By suggesting a drone as a cabinet member, Sowore is not merely proposing new equipment, but is advocating for a systemic replacement of human military bureaucracy with AI-led decision-making to combat corruption and inefficiency in Nigeria's security sector.
