Utilization and Benefits of Smart Textiles on Security Challenges in Niger State

The study investigated the utilization and benefits of Smart Textiles on security challenges in Niger State. There is a significant knowledge gap in the utilization of smart textiles on security in the Nigerian context. Three research questions were raised to; investigate the benefits of smart-textiles used by service men in Niger state, assess the utilization of smart textiles used by service men in Niger state and examine security challenges in Niger state. The research adopted descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling techniques was used to collect data from: Army, Police, Air force, Civil Defense, Man O War (Two selected local Government) with the total population of 301. Data collected were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics such as: frequency counts, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results from the findings shows that the benefits of smart textile as perceived by the respondents include: improvement in Security system, comfortability, temperature control, safety and protection, and monitoring of vital signs with grand mean score 4.0. Smart textiles are used for Health Monitoring, Life jacket, Smart bra, in Military safety and as for Sportswear with grand mean score 3.80. The security challenges include the following; Insurgency, Banditry, Kidnapping, and Boko Haram with grand mean score 4.20. This study concluded that benefits of smart textile to servicemen in Niger State include: improvement in Security system, comfortability, temperature control, safety and protection, and monitoring of vital signs of insecurity. The recommendation are to create more awareness on benefits of smart textile. Training and workshop should be organized on the usage of smart textiles. Service men should be encouraged to use them for their protections and that of the citizen.