The Federal Government is renewing its push for technology-driven collaboration across Nigeria’s security architecture, positioning the upcoming African International Defence Exhibition 2026 (AFRIDEX 2026) as a strategic platform for advancing innovation in defence and cybersecurity.
Through high-level policy dialogue, live technology demonstrations, and structured industry engagement, AFRIDEX is being framed as more than a conventional exhibition, according to a government statement. Government officials say the initiative is designed to translate investment into operational capability and align policy with real-world security outcomes, as Nigeria responds to evolving threats in both physical and digital domains.
Backed by the Federal Government and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the four-day event is expected to convene over 500 exhibitors and more than 30,000 participants, bringing together global manufacturers, African governments, and security stakeholders across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with AFRIDEX organisers led by Umar Alkali in Abuja, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, described the exhibition as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
According to the Minister, strengthening Nigeria’s defence technology landscape will depend on coordinated institutional frameworks rather than isolated interventions, reflecting the growing convergence between traditional defence systems and advanced digital technologies.
According to the Minister, strengthening Nigeria’s defence technology landscape will depend on coordinated institutional frameworks rather than isolated interventions, reflecting the growing convergence between traditional defence systems and advanced digital technologies.
“Meaningful progress within Nigeria’s defence and security architecture can only be achieved through collaboration rather than isolated efforts,” Tunji-Ojo said, emphasising the need for openness, partnerships, and shared innovation across agencies and sectors.
Beyond its role as a marketplace for defence hardware, AFRIDEX is to serve as a policy and innovation hub that will shape the deployment of emerging technologies, particularly in cybersecurity and digital intelligence.
The Minister highlighted the exhibition as a platform for showcasing next-generation solutions, including innovations from Nigerian developers and startups operating in the cybersecurity space.
According to him, the initiative will provide visibility for local talent, particularly young innovators whose work is increasingly relevant to modern security architecture, where cyber capabilities are becoming as critical as conventional defence systems.
Tunji-Ojo also underscored the importance of bridging the long-standing gap between research and real-world application, identifying commercialisation as a key priority for Nigeria’s defence and technology ecosystem.
“Creating platforms where innovators, manufacturers, and investors can interact is critical to ensuring that research translates into tangible economic value,” he said.
The policy direction reflects a broader shift towards strengthening Nigeria’s defence-industrial base through technology transfer, partnerships, and the integration of local innovation into national security frameworks.
To support the international scope of AFRIDEX, the Ministry of Interior is also advancing process-level reforms, including improvements to Nigeria’s visa system. Tunji-Ojo disclosed plans to establish a dedicated support desk to streamline entry for foreign participants, signalling a focus on ease of access and global engagement.
He further proposed that AFRIDEX be institutionalised as an annual event, while calling for deeper collaboration among security and intelligence agencies.
“This is not a time for territorial thinking, but for collective progress,” the Minister said, warning against bureaucratic fragmentation in the face of increasingly complex security challenges.
Scheduled to hold from October 26 to 29, 2026, at Eko Atlantic City, AFRIDEX is being positioned as Africa’s largest defence and security technology exhibition.
The event, hosted by DICON in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, will bring together policymakers, military leaders, technology companies, and startups to explore solutions ranging from unmanned systems and surveillance technologies to cybersecurity infrastructure and space-based capabilities.
With strong global participation anticipated, the Federal Government says sustained commitment to initiatives such as AFRIDEX will help accelerate indigenous innovation, attract foreign investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s position within the global defence technology landscape.
As Nigeria continues to integrate digital systems into its security architecture, AFRIDEX is emerging as a focal point for aligning policy, technology, and investment, signalling a shift towards a more collaborative, innovation-led approach to national and regional security.
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