Bomba Dauda
…Defence Minister Announces Massive Local Production of Military Hardware Within One Year
Nigeria has called on global defence investors, African countries and technology innovators to establish strategic partnerships with the country as it seeks to strengthen local defence manufacturing, enhance security cooperation and promote peace across the continent.
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.
Represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said Nigeria was open to defence partnerships founded on mutual trust, respect and shared values.
He noted that security threats were becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring African countries and global innovators in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to work together to address security challenges.
The President stressed that Africa could not afford to ignore emerging trends in military equipment, personnel training and international defence cooperation.
According to him, peace and stability create opportunities for development, strengthen public institutions and inspire confidence in the future.
Tinubu urged participants to use the exhibition to exchange knowledge, hold bilateral meetings, sign memoranda of understanding and explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s defence sector.
He called on stakeholders to ensure that the partnerships established at AFRIDEX translated into tangible benefits for the country and the continent.
Earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, disclosed that Nigeria would commence massive local production of defence hardware within the next one year to meet domestic requirements and support exports, particularly to other African countries.
Musa urged international investors and industry stakeholders to take advantage of the exhibition to invest in Nigeria’s defence industry.
He explained that the exhibition’s side engagements would strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations among defence establishments, government representatives, industry operators and strategic partners.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, described AFRIDEX as a dynamic platform capable of advancing the objectives for which it was established.
In separate goodwill messages, the Lagos State Governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Mr. Birame Diop, expressed optimism that the exhibition would provide an inclusive platform for African countries to strengthen and revitalise their defence industries.
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 Africa Command (AFRICOM) as part of efforts to strengthen international defence cooperation.
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.
