"To provide a strategic direction for the actualisation of the military-industrial complex in Nigeria and by extension, the attainment of self-reliance in state​-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for our defence and security services."

HISTORY OF DRDB

The transformation of the Department of Research and Development into a Bureau completed the process of re-engineering this vital arm of the Defence Headquarters in line with global best practices. Thanks to the resilience and commitment of a visionary leader, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen AG Olanisakin that midwifed the process of integrating the entire R&D efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in collaboration with viable partners through the creation of a Bureau. The long-term vision is the transformation of the integrated system into a Military Complex (MIC) capable of meeting defence and security needs of the AFN and the country at large. 
The motivation has been that “if it can be done anywhere in the world, it can be done in Nigeria”. It is with this ‘we-can-do-it’ spirit that on assumption of duty as the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) on 14 July 2017, that a series of activities were embarked upon to actualise the total transformation of the Department to a Bureau of international standard. My resolve to chart the much-needed strategic direction for the Bureau while leveraging on the modest efforts of my predecessor led to several in-house conferences with staff which marshalled out the vision and mission of the Bureau. 
Accordingly, the Bureau’s vision is “to be an internationally recognised R&D centre capable of meeting Nigeria’s Defence and security needs while leveraging on the Expertise of indigenous and international partners. Similarly, the mission statement of the Bureau is “to Provide strategic direction for Self-reliance in defence and security needs through research and development”. To this end, the draft Bill for the Bureau was painstakingly drafted for consideration by the National Assembly (NASS). Additionally, the Bureau also reviewed its administrative structure to accommodate civilian staff. Within this period, the bureau in collaboration with some partners rolled out some cutting edge technologies aimed at enhancing the operation of the AFN as part of the effort to place the Bureau on a global stage, a quarterly journal was also launched to showcase military efforts in R&D and innovations amongst others. 
The quarterly journal titled “Defence Researcher” is billed to hit the news stands with its maiden publication in the second quarter of 2018. Most assuredly, DRDB is working assiduously to lay solid foundation for R&D in collaboration with both indigenous and foreign partners to provide substantially the defence and security needs of the AFN. Let me seize this opportunity to appreciate the commitment of the editorial board and news crew towards the publication of the maiden edition of the Bureau’s journal. Finally, to entire management team and staff of the Bureau, I enjoin you to remain reseolute as we chart the course of excellence in DRDB. ...AVM OJ Osahor (Rtd).