Nigeria Woos Global Defence Investors as Tinubu Opens AFRIDEX 2026
… Tinubu seeks mutually beneficial partnerships as Defence Minister promises massive local production within one year
Oru Leonard
Nigeria has called on global defence investors, technology innovators and African partners to explore investment opportunities in the country’s defence industry, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring the nation’s readiness for partnerships founded on mutual trust and respect.
Tinubu made the call at the opening of the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026), which commenced on October 26 and will run until October 30 at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the increasing complexity of security threats across Africa required stronger collaboration, technological innovation and strategic partnerships among nations.
He urged African countries and global innovators in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to work with Nigeria towards strengthening peace, security and stability across the continent.
According to him, those entrusted with maintaining peace must take necessary measures to safeguard it, noting that Africa could not afford to ignore emerging developments in military equipment, personnel training and security cooperation.
Tinubu stressed that peace and stability create opportunities for economic growth, strengthen public confidence in institutions and provide a solid foundation for sustainable development.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s large pool of talented young people, saying the country needed to create opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The President encouraged participants to use AFRIDEX 2026 to exchange knowledge, conduct bilateral engagements, sign memoranda of understanding and explore investment opportunities within 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,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), urged international investors and defence industry stakeholders to take advantage of the exhibition to invest in Nigeria’s defence manufacturing sector.
Musa disclosed that Nigeria was targeting the commencement of massive local production of defence hardware within the next year, with products intended for domestic use and export to other countries, particularly across Africa.
He said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities while positioning the country as a potential supplier of military equipment to other African nations.
The minister also expressed confidence that meetings and other engagements scheduled for the exhibition would deepen bilateral and multilateral relations among defence institutions, governments, industry players and strategic partners.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, described AFRIDEX as a dynamic platform capable of achieving its objectives of promoting defence cooperation, industrial development and strategic engagement.
In separate goodwill messages, the Lagos State Government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expressed optimism that the exhibition would provide an inclusive platform for African countries to strengthen and revitalise their defence industries.
The Lagos State Governor was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, while Mr. Birame Diop represented the ECOWAS Commission.
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 toured exhibition stands showcasing defence equipment, technologies and innovations from participating countries.
He also held an executive meeting with the United States delegation as part of efforts to strengthen international defence engagement.
Other dignitaries at the event included 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 is expected to provide a platform for defence manufacturers, investors, governments and technology companies to explore opportunities for cooperation, local manufacturing and the development of indigenous defence capabilities across Africa.
