In contemporary surveillance and reconnaissance efforts, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been widely deployed in dangerous, low-altitude regions where manned aircrafts cannot navigate easily because of their size, purchasing costs for environmental remote sensing, monitoring, and combat mission for military operations. As UAVs are used in compromising situations, they are designed to be low cost in the event of failed recovery process and there is increased operational flexibility for military applications and non-military development. This paper provides an overview of the use of UAVs in combating illegal bunkering activities. It classifies these vehicles based on performance and size. The paper seeks to proffer potential solutions for its adoption in the Niger Delta for forestalling security, monitoring and surveillance of multinational oil companies’ pipelines operating in the region, tactical responses by security agencies to address emergency situations of oil spillage, and illegal bunkering activities for the promotion of the nation’s economic development.

This chapter describes a systematic investigation of blockchain technology and its applications across various domains with the main focus on libraries. The concept and working of blockchain technology are discussed with respect to multiple domains to emphasize how the peculiar attribute of this technology can revolutionize ‘library practices'. The chapter presents the opportunities available for library professionals and awareness of this emerging technology and assist them in taking some initiatives for its appropriate application in libraries. It therefore concludes by recommending that the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian library professionals set up a blockchain website, blogs, and webinars to engage researchers, students, and information professionals to harness their inputs towards developing a whitepaper (policy) and promotion of emerging technologies for better services delivery in the libraries, adding value to libraries and the communities they serve.

Physical fitness is a fundamental tool for an effective soldier to maintain vigor, alertness, and stamina in operations, and in the performance of all assigned duties in tackling insurgency and insecurity across the nation. Through a review of past studies, this paper highlights the importance of physical fitness of soldiers for combat missions, and its efficacy in ensuring their combat readiness. It also highlights the role of commanders in ensuring that soldiers adhere to standardized physical training fitness programs. This paper concludes by recommending the importance of commanders, physical instructors, tactical unit leaders, coaches, and trainers in soldiers attaining the required physical professional standards in discharging their duties during missions and combat.

The armed forces generally signify national pride, strength, valor, resilience, and power as they perform the tasks of securing land and border and protecting the citizenry from external aggressors. The attributes required for this range from patriotism, tact, discipline, and selflessness in service to the nation. However, the task also requires modernized military hardware and equipment to secure national interest, promote the rule of law, and fight insecurity, insurgency, and banditry. In a bid to address security challenges and the shortfall in the supply of basic raw materials for the manufacture of military hardware and armaments, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has partnered with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council for the supply of basic raw materials to meet the growing needs of the military. A survey methodology has been employed in this study to assess the role of DICON in the promotion of defense research and development. The data collected were analyzed using a decision mean of 3.00. The findings reveal that the availability of principal raw materials such as square and angle bars as well as various forms of steel to DICON is insufficient for the fabrication and production of arms and ammunition and armored personal carriers. This paper recommends the need for a change of orientation through the revitalization of steel companies, which will provide an impetus to the economy, generate job opportunities, and contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product.

Armed forces across the globe have been continuously modernizing through the deployment of hi-tech computers and nanotechnologies to perfect information acquisition and analysis and data transmission during missions and operations to make them more powerful and enhance their competitive advantage. This study presents an overview of the opportunities provided by twenty-first century military technologies and their advantages, specifically in terms of system integration, communications, and capability to shape modern warfare. The study concludes by recommending the importance of the Ministry of Defense through the provision of adequate funds and budgetary allocations for research, development, and procurement of high-tech equipment like TALOS, FIST, FELIN, IDZ-ZES, RATNIK-3 smart suits for tactical operations to support soldiers for an effective discharge of assigned combat missions during insurgencies and battlefield reconnaissance and domination.