Nigeria plans to start large-scale production of military equipment within one year, Defence Minister Christopher Musa has announced at the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos.
The planned production will supply Nigeria’s domestic needs and support exports, particularly to other African countries. Musa made the announcement at the opening of the five-day exhibition, which runs from 26 to 30 October 2026 at Eko Atlantic City.
Defence ministry announces production timeline
Musa called on participants to invest in Nigeria’s defence industry, presenting the exhibition as an opportunity for international partners to support the country’s production plans.
He said activities scheduled alongside the exhibition would strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations among defence establishments, government representatives, industry players and strategic partners.
President Bola Tinubu also invited African defence partners and global technology companies to work with Nigeria on security and stability across the continent.
Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said security threats were becoming more complex and interconnected. He called for cooperation with innovators in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to address these threats.
The President said African countries needed to keep up with developments in military equipment, personnel training and cooperation based on shared values.
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He also called on participants to use the exhibition to exchange knowledge, hold bilateral meetings, sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He said Nigeria had talented young people who needed opportunities to develop their abilities. He also stressed that peace and stability could help public institutions earn trust and create opportunities.
African countries invited to strengthen defence industries
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, described AFRIDEX as a platform capable of achieving the objectives for which it was established.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and the representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Birame Diop, expressed optimism about the exhibition.
They said the gathering would give African countries an inclusive opportunity to improve and revitalise their defence industries.
The Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General B.I. Alaya, commended Tinubu for his continued support for the corporation. He pledged to increase its production capacity.
After the opening ceremony, Musa inspected exhibition stands displaying products from various countries. He also held an executive meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
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.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
AFRIDEX 2026 is Nigeria’s first Africa International Defence Exhibition. It runs from 26 to 30 October at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
The Defence Ministry has announced a one-year timeline for the start of large-scale local production of defence equipment. The planned output is intended for domestic use and export, especially to African countries.
President Tinubu has also invited international defence partners and technology innovators to explore investment opportunities and cooperate with Nigeria on security, military training and emerging technologies.
The exhibition includes opportunities for bilateral meetings, the signing of MoUs and cooperation among African countries, government representatives and defence industry participants.
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