By Dr Emmanuel Daudu Ph.D
Nigeria has called on global defence investors, technology innovators and African strategic partners to explore investment opportunities in its defence industry, with the Federal Government announcing plans to commence large-scale local production of defence hardware within the next year.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the call on Monday at the opening of the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026), holding from October 26 to 30 at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
Tinubu, who was represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said Nigeria was ready to establish defence partnerships founded on mutual trust, respect and shared interests to strengthen security and promote stability across Africa.
The President noted that security threats were becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring African countries to deepen cooperation and embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to address evolving defence challenges.
He stressed that those entrusted with maintaining peace must deploy every legitimate means at their disposal to preserve it, warning that Africa could not afford to ignore changing trends in military equipment, personnel training and strategic cooperation.
According to him, peace and stability remain essential to creating opportunities, strengthening public confidence in institutions and building a future in which citizens can thrive.
Tinubu also underscored the importance of partnerships that deliver measurable benefits, noting that Nigeria possesses a large pool of talented young people who need opportunities to contribute to national development.
He urged participants to use the exhibition to exchange technical knowledge, conduct bilateral engagements, sign memoranda of understanding and explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s defence sector.
“Let the partnerships formed here strengthen our readiness. Let the knowledge exchanged here inspire our innovators. And let the commitments made here produce tangible results that our people can see and experience,” the President said.
Earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), called on international investors and defence manufacturers to take advantage of the exhibition to invest in Nigeria’s defence industry.
Musa disclosed that the country was working towards commencing large-scale local production of defence hardware within the next year, both to meet domestic requirements and to serve export markets, particularly across Africa.
He said the initiative would provide opportunities for defence cooperation, industrial development and stronger partnerships between Nigeria and other countries.
The minister added that the exhibition’s bilateral and multilateral engagements were designed to strengthen relationships among defence institutions, government representatives, industry players and other strategic partners.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, described AFRIDEX as a dynamic platform for advancing the objectives of the country’s defence industrial development agenda.
Matawalle expressed confidence that the exhibition would encourage collaboration among stakeholders and open new opportunities for strengthening Africa’s defence capabilities.
The Lagos State Government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission also expressed optimism about the exhibition’s potential to revitalise the continent’s defence industries.
The Lagos State Governor was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, while Mr Birame Diop represented the ECOWAS Commission.
Both representatives highlighted the importance of cooperation and inclusive engagement in enabling African countries to strengthen their defence sectors.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General B. I. Alaya, commended President Tinubu for his continued support for the corporation and pledged to enhance its production capacity.
Following the opening ceremony, the Defence Minister inspected exhibition stands showcasing defence products and technologies from participating countries. He also held an executive meeting with the United States delegation.
The event attracted the Chief of Defence Staff, serving and former service chiefs, the Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Defence, and representatives from more than 20 African countries.
AFRIDEX 2026, scheduled to run until October 30, is expected to provide a platform for defence manufacturers, investors, governments and technology developers to explore partnerships, exchange expertise and identify opportunities for strengthening defence capabilities across Africa.
