The Africa International Defence Exhibition, AFRIDEX, opened at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, bringing together defence leaders, official delegations and international industry representatives to discuss Africa’s security priorities and opportunities for c ooperation.

Organised by dmg events in partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ministry of Defence, the event runs until 29 October.

Covering land, maritime, air, space and cyber capabilities, AFRIDEX connects African governments and armed forces with defence manufacturers, technology providers and specialist suppliers. Its exhibition and conference programme focuses on operational read iness, procurement and the development of local defence industries.

Guests at the opening ceremony included President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio , General Birame Diop, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State , General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence , Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON , Honourable Minister of State for Defence & Chairman of the DICON Board and Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) . Their participation provides a regional perspective on shared security challenges, peacekeeping and long -term capability requirements.

For international companies, AFRIDEX offers opportunities to understand African defence requirements, engage with government and military decision -makers, and explore partnerships with local manufacturers. Discussions will examine how technology, expertise and industrial investment can support national capabilities and strengthen regional security.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was represented at the opening ceremony by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Following ceremonial welcomes and senior -level addresses, VIPs and official delegations toured the exhibition, meeting participating companies to explore equipment, technologies and services relevant to their operational requirements.

Welcoming delegates on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, said: “Security is the first condition of any economy. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre and one of Africa’s largest cities, depends on it every single day.” He encouraged participants “to use these four days to turn dialogue into partnership and leave African forces better equipped and our economy stronger.”

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, said: “AFRIDEX started as a strategic vision, and I’m glad to see that today the ideas have come to fruition. ” Highlighting the opportunity for international industry, he added: “Nigeria has the population, has the landmass and has the reach, and Africa has the requirement for this. So anybody who invests in Nigeria is investing wisely.”

Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), said: “AFRIDEX is more than an exhibition. It is a strategic platform for translating ambition into action.”

Odiri Umusu, Portfolio Director for AFRIDEX, said: “AFRIDEX provides a platform for defence leaders and industry to exchange perspectives, build relationships and explore practical opportunities for cooperation. Over the next four days, our focus is on connecting security priorities with the capabilities, expertise and industrial partnerships that can help address them.”

The Strategic Conference, taking place on 27 and 28 October, will examine sovereign security capability, innovation and industrial growth. Topics across the wider programme include security in the Gulf of Guinea, local production, counter -uncrewed aircraft systems, maritime operations and space applications. The opening day programme is scheduled to conclude with an invitation -only gala dinner for participating delegations.