By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Africa’s first-ever comprehensive Defence and Security Exhibition, the Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), scheduled to take place in Nigeria in 2026. The landmark event is poised to position the country as a continental hub for defence innovation, security collaboration, and industrial advancement.
The announcement came during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 January 2026. The delegation, led by the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, revealed that the exhibition will bring together military institutions, security agencies, government ministries, defence manufacturers, and international partners from across the globe.
Major General Alaya explained that AFRIDECS is designed to highlight Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and technological innovations across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. The exhibition will also serve as a global platform for exchanging cutting-edge security solutions.
“AFRIDECS is conceived to showcase indigenous capabilities and manufacturing, while leveraging the expertise and experience of international defence manufacturers. It will serve as a convergence point for defence, security, and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and innovations,” he stated, adding that the event is strategically positioned to become Africa’s premier defence and security showcase.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) Dera Nnadi reaffirmed the NCS’s readiness to play a facilitative and regulatory role in ensuring the exhibition’s success. DCG Nnadi emphasized that AFRIDECS presents not only security benefits but also significant economic, cultural, and diplomatic opportunities for Nigeria.
“This is beyond the security implications. For us in the Nigeria Customs Service, it is an economic opportunity, a cultural gain, and a platform to project the best of Nigeria to the international community. Customs will play its role in facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict regulatory compliance,” he said, assuring that the Service will provide seamless Customs processes for the temporary importation of exhibition equipment without compromising national security standards.
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Timi Bomodi, in charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, also commended DICON for initiating what he described as a bold and strategic exhibition with far-reaching implications for national security and economic development. He noted that AFRIDECS is unique due to the sensitive nature of the items involved, which will primarily consist of military hardware and defence equipment.
DCG Bomodi explained that Customs would adopt simplified and transparent temporary importation procedures, provided all regulatory requirements are met, including advance notification, detailed documentation, and submission of End User Certificates to ensure proper control, accountability, and compliance with both national and international regulations.
As the first event of its kind on the continent, AFRIDECS is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s image as a leader in defence innovation, deepen international cooperation, unlock economic opportunities, and reinforce the country’s national security architecture, with the Nigeria Customs Service playing a critical enabling role in its success.
