By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has announced plans to commence large-scale local production of defence hardware within the next one year, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract global investors and strengthen the country’s defence manufacturing capacity.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the maiden Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026, held at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, on Monday.
According to an official statement signed by the Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Defence, Queenet Iheoma-Hart, Musa urged international investors and defence industry stakeholders to take advantage of the exhibition to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s defence sector.
He said the planned production would cater to domestic military requirements while creating opportunities for exports, particularly to other African countries.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial base, expand local manufacturing capacity and promote greater self-reliance in the supply of military equipment.
The minister also noted that the exhibition’s side engagements would help strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations among defence establishments, government representatives, industry stakeholders and strategic partners.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on global defence investors, African partners and technology innovators to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Nigeria, emphasising the importance of mutual trust, respect and shared values.
Tinubu, represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the increasing complexity of security threats required stronger international cooperation and the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to promote peace and stability across Africa.
The President urged participants to use AFRIDEX 2026 to exchange knowledge, hold bilateral meetings, sign memoranda of understanding and identify viable investment opportunities in the country.
“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.
Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, stressing the need to create opportunities for young people to contribute to innovation and national development.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, described AFRIDEX as a platform for advancing defence cooperation and achieving the objectives for which the exhibition was established.
In their goodwill messages, the Lagos State Governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the representative of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Birame Diop, expressed optimism that the exhibition would provide an inclusive platform for African countries to expand 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 equipment and technologies from participating countries and held an executive meeting with the United States delegation.
AFRIDEX 2026, scheduled to run from October 26 to 30, 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, alongside other stakeholders in the global defence industry.
